A Witch In LA

Chapter 19

“What’d you buy, love?” Tara questions, watching as Faith hangs up the garment bag in the closet.

“It’s a surprise. No peeking!” Faith growls, looking at Tara.

“Not fair.” Tara frowns, looking at her lover. “You went out shopping without me. You won’t let me see what you bought. How do I know we’re not going to clash at the wedding this weekend?”

“Because I saw your outfit.” Faith smirks at her lover. “Now, we need to go out on patrol.”

Tara sighs at Faith before hopping off the bed, grabbing her boots she quickly slides them on and ties them tightly. Grabbing her fanny pack with some of her herbs and supplies she glances up at Faith as she quickly tucks away stakes and a couple knives. “Are you going to bother with a short sword tonight?” Tara questions quietly.

“Yeah, I better. You should take one, also.” Faith looks up as she finishes tucking a knife in her boot.

“I’m not that good with it.” Tara shakes her head.

“You’re doing a lot better, babe.” Faith smiles softly. “I just like the idea of you havin’ something besides magic to fall back on. What if one of them demons is immune to magic? What’cha gonna do then?”

“That’s what you’re for.” Tara smirks at Faith.

“Smart ass.” Faith growls.

“That’s me.” Tara nods her head.

“Did you get all your classes and stuff transferred?” Faith questions as they head downstairs.

“Yes, but I won’t be starting this semester. A couple of the classes I need to finish my degree were already pre-filled. They’re going to see if they can get me in for next semester.” Tara looks around at the evening sky as they walk out of the hotel.

“That’s a bitch.” Faith grumbles. “You don’t even know if you can get in next semester?”

“Not yet. It isn’t that big of a deal. So what if I have to wait another year for my degree? It would be kind of pointless right now, anyway.” Tara glances at Faith, smiling. “Plus I’m not in that much of a rush to go back to school. I’m afraid I might miss you.”

“Yeah, that’s a biggy.” Faith wiggles her eyebrows and smirks. “Have to get your quota of hot lovin’s.”

Tara smacks her softly on the arm. “That’s not it.” Tara stops and blinks. Thinking for a moment. “Well, that’s not all of it.” She laughs as Faith squeezes her waist gently after she wraps her arm around her.

Faith tenses as she feels a vampire nearby. Hearing a scuffle in the alleyway she slides her arm from around Tara and pulls out a stake, palming it in her hand so it isn’t visible.

Tara lets Faith ease in front of her as they turn down the alleyway, keeping her eyes open she smirks at the single vampire that had obviously just jumped over the fence and was heading straight towards them.

“What have we here?” The vamp eyes the two women, grinning. “Are you out looking for a date? Personally I’m kind of hungry myself.” He growls, vamping out as he gets close to Faith.

“Idiot.” Faith rolls her eyes at the vampire as he clumsily tries to grab her. Without even having to hit him, she quickly stakes him as she ducks and spins away, turning to walk back towards Tara, as he turns to dust behind her.

“He was either extremely newly risen or extremely stupid.” Tara giggles as Faith shakes her head.

“I’m votin’ for both.” Faith growls. “Did Fred call while I was out shopping?”

“Yes. She’s debating on whether or not to stay home or come back.” Tara smiles sadly. “I’ll miss her, but I honestly think her staying home, away from the weirdness that is our lives, would be for the best.”

“At least you were finally able to get her to call home.” Faith smiles and squeezes Tara’s shoulders as they continue on patrol. “She would have probably still been up in her room barely interactin’ with anybody.”

“All of us helped her, love.” Tara wraps her arm around Faith’s waist. “It wasn’t just me.”

“Yeah, but you insisted she get out of the hotel. Got her started dealin’ with the real world again.” Faith explains quietly.

Tara shrugs, not really seeing what the big deal is. “She would have gotten there herself.”

Faith shakes her head deciding to let it go. “Let’s hit the big nasty cemetery. I hope the guys are having an easy time of it.”

“Angel didn’t seem to terribly worried about the demon Cordy saw.” Tara shrugs her shoulder. “He was more worried about getting to it before it hurt anybody. He said if it’s the demon he thinks it is, it’s easy to kill.”

“Yeah, well we only thought there were gonna be those three demons that one night, too!” Faith growls deeply.

Tara uncontrollably feels a tremor work through her body, remembering her love being broken, bruised and bloody.

Faith’s eyes widen and she looks at Tara, feeling the pain lance quickly down their connection. “God, I’m sorry.” Faith stops and turns Tara towards her. “I shouldn’t have mentioned it.” Faith winces at her own stupidity, knowing Tara still hates thinking about that night.

Taking a deep breath, Tara smiles tremulously. “It’s okay, love.” Tara hugs Faith quickly. “I just don’t want anything like that to happen again. Not if I can help it.”

Faith nods her head hesitantly. “Let’s patrol.”

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

Tara chuckles quietly, sitting on a tombstone as Faith taunts the three vampires. Watching as a fourth one starts to sneak up on the slayer, Tara quickly prepares a spell, ready to send her stake flying when Faith does a back spinning kick, nailing the vampire upside the head. Relaxing, Tara watches as Faith works the vampires over before finally staking them.

Faith smirks at Tara as she comes strutting up to the witch. Eyeing the woman, Faith raises an eyebrow and places her hands on either side of the woman’s hips. “Had ya’ worried there for a minute, didn’t I?”

“Not so much, but I was prepared in case you didn’t realize the fourth one was trying to sneak up on you.” Tara watches the slayer, smiling softly. Reaching up, Tara runs a hand down her cheek before cupping the slayer’s neck, leaning forward and placing a soft kiss on the slayer’s full lips.

“You know, we ain’t made out in a cemetery yet.” Faith wiggles her eyebrows, grinning.

“Probably because there’s usually somebody else with us.” Tara admits, laughing. Shifting her legs, Tara pulls Faith in between her legs before wrapping them around the slayer’s waist. “So, are you wanting to make out for all the vampires to see?” Tara questions leaning in and placing a quick kiss on the slayer’s neck.

“There ain’t no vampires around here right now.” Faith moans quietly as Tara starts placing firmer kisses up and down her neck.

Tara chuckles as she works her way back up the slayer’s neck before capturing Faith’s lips in an intoxicating kiss. Gently pulling back, Tara looks at the slayer with passion filled eyes. “Maybe I should cool it. I really don’t want to jump you on top of someone’s grave. And it wouldn’t take much before I’d say to hell with it and fuck you till you’re screaming my name where every demon within a ten block radius can hear you.”

Faith groans, closing her eyes. “I think you’re sellin’ yourself short. I bet you could make me scream loud enough to cover a twenty block radius.” Faith finally opens her eyes, smirking.

“Let’s finish patrol. I have the urge to make you scream the rest of the night away before we have to head to Sunnydale.” Tara whispers quietly in Faith’s ear before nipping at the lobe.

“Oh, fuck!” Faith moans, unconsciously rubbing her body against Tara’s. “I vote for you taking me now.” Faith’s dark eyes open, her body trying to get even closer to the witch’s.

“Sorry, love.” Tara smiles sadly at the slayer. “Maybe some other time, when I have time to think about it and not be so weirded out. But not now, okay?”

Faith nods her head and smiles understandingly at her lover. “That’s fine, babe. I won’t ever have you do somethin’ you don’t wanna.”

“I know.” Tara leans in and kisses Faith softly before easing down off the tombstone. “Patrol?”

“Patrol.” Faith leads the way out of the cemetery.

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

Faith laughs quietly as she pulls into the Summers’ driveway. Turning the engine off, she looks down at her lap where Tara’s sleeping curled up with her head on her thigh. Running a hand gently over her side, Faith whispers. “Wake up, babe. We’re here.”

“What?” Tara yawns, stretching to look up at Faith, her eyes widening as she realizes she’d slept the majority of the way to Sunnydale. “I’m sorry, love.” She mutters as she quickly sits up, glancing around. “I so, did not mean to fall asleep on you like that, both literally and figuratively.” Tara smiles apologetically at the slayer.

“It’s all right.” Faith smirks leaning in and getting a quick kiss. “You’ll just have to make it up to me.” Faith wiggles her eyebrows, laughing quietly as she hears Dawn.

“They’re here!!!” Dawn yells, running to meet the two women. “Buffy fixed her room up for you two. She kind of figured that might be for the best.” Dawn squeals, hugging Tara as soon as she steps from the car.

“Hi, Dawnie.” Tara laughs, hugging the teenager back. “And I’ll have to be sure to thank Buffy.”

“Thank me for what?” Buffy questions coming down to see if the two women need any help. “Need help?” Buffy watches as Faith gently picks up the two outfits from the back seat.

“If you wanna get the small carry-all in the trunk, that’ll be good.” Faith smiles her thanks at the blonde slayer. “How things been here?”

“Nuthouse.” Buffy rolls her eyes. “Be thankful you two aren’t in the wedding! Faith, make sure you hide away at least a knife or something. Some of the guests may need a little help behaving.”

Faith frowns looking in question at Buffy. “What?”

“Oh, sorry.” Buffy frowns shaking her head. “Should have said that a little different. Anya has invited about every demon she knows to the wedding. I wouldn’t doubt that most of them have tried, at one time or another, to open the Hellmouth. Hell, I’d be surprised if they don’t all get together and try and do it this weekend!” Buffy throws her hands up in the air, making Faith chuckle. “I’m serious.” Buffy narrows her gaze on the other slayer. “Just wait until tomorrow, you’ll see!”

“I believe ya’, B.” Faith laughs quietly watching as Buffy grabs their bag and shuts the trunk. Faith glances over to Dawn who still has an arm wrapped around Tara. Growling good-naturedly at the teen, Faith narrows her gaze. “Get away from my woman!!”

Dawn squeals and hides behind Tara, looking over her shoulder. “What if I don’t want to?”

“I’ll whip up on you, brat.” Faith mutters slowly walking around the car towards Dawn.

“Faith, honey, be careful of the outfits.” Tara murmurs, trying not to laugh. As Faith hands them to her, Tara chuckles quietly as Faith takes after the now running Dawn. “Children.” Tara laughs, shaking her head. Glancing towards Buffy, Tara tilts her head. “How are things?”

“Good.” Buffy admits, smiling as Faith catches Dawn and starts tickling her. “I can’t believe that’s Faith.” Looking back at Tara, Buffy smiles softly. “You’ve made a world of difference in her life, you know that, right?”

“No more than she has in mine.” Tara admits, watching the two play. “They’ll probably be at it for a while, let’s put this stuff up.”

Buffy nods her head, leading Tara into the house. Tara looks around, smiling as she catches sight of Spike lurking in the background away from the sunlight.

“Glinda.” Spike acknowledges the witch with a nod of his head.

“Spike.” Tara smirks at the vampire. “What’s new with you?” She questions with a lift of the eyebrow.

“Well…” Spike glances from Buffy to Tara, and back again.

“She knows about us, Spike.” Buffy rolls her eyes. “Actually, she was the first one I told.” Buffy admits, smiling at the witch. “He’s staying here with us, now. I finally got up the nerve to explain things to Dawn, then he moved in last week.”

“She was happy, wasn’t she?” Tara questions, smiling at Buffy.

“How did you know?” Buffy frowns, pouting. “And why didn’t you tell me she would be happy?”

Tara laughs at the slayer. “Dawn and Spike got along like a house on fire when…” Tara winces trailing off.

“It’s okay, Tara. I understand.” Buffy nods knowing the witch was about to say when she was gone.

“Yeah, but she coulda phrased it different. House on fire - vampire here, remember?” Spike growls, narrowing his gaze on Tara. “There will be no fires around me, got it?”

“Poor Spike-y. Afraid he’ll go poof?” Tara smirks at the vampire. “I could just teleport your ass out in the middle of the street for that, you know.”

“You wouldn’t!” Spike yells shifting further back in the house, not believing what Tara was saying.

“She might.” Faith chuckles as she comes in with her arm thrown over Dawn’s shoulders. “You should see what she does with some of the vamps we come across on patrol. Consider yourself lucky if that’s all she does to ya’!”

Spike looks towards Tara, worry actually showing in his eyes.

“Spike, she’s messing with you.” Buffy rolls her eyes at the vampire.

“Glinda don’t do things like that.” Spike growls worriedly.

“She does now.” Tara smirks at the vampire. “You guys still have to go to the rehearsal dinner tonight?” Tara looks from a slayer that’s nodding her head unenthusiastically to Dawn who’s almost jumping up and down.

“Yeah, the two women folk are going to the dinner, while I was gonna take patrol.” Spike smirks at Buffy, knowing how she would much rather be patrolling.

“Don’t rub it in, Spike.” Buffy growls at the vampire.

“Wanna go on patrol with Spike tonight, babe?” Faith questions looking towards Tara.

“If you want to, we can.” Tara nods her head. “But I guess I should hang these up before I wrinkle whatever’s in here.” Tara sneaks a look at Faith.

“You’ll see it tomorrow.” Faith smiles at Tara before watching the witch walk up the stairs followed by Buffy. Glancing towards Spike, she raises an eyebrow. “You treating her right?”

“Hell, yeah.” Spike grunts out. “She’ll kick my ass if I don’t.” He admits. “Don’t ask me how, or why, but I love the bint. I think I oughta ask you the same question. You treating Glinda right?” Spike narrows his gaze on the slayer. “She pretty much held this group together, when she was here. Helped take care of all of us, me included. You ain’t treating her right, you’ll answer to me, chip or no chip, understand?”

“Spike! We already told you she was.” Dawn whines before finally collapsing on the couch, shaking her head at the vampire.

“Bit, this is between me and the slayer.” Spike looks towards Dawn, smiling softly at the teen to let her know he wasn’t mad at her.

“I’ll never hurt her.” Faith growls, walking closer to the vampire. “She’s my life and I love her completely.”

“Hey, hey, guys.” Buffy jogs down the stairs, followed by Tara. “No bloodshed in the house. Spike, we already explained to you that Faith won’t hurt Tara. They both love each other, so drop it already.” Buffy comes to stand in front of the vampire, making him look down into her eyes. “They love each other, and they’re actually good for each other, believe it or not.”

Tara shakes her head before wrapping her arms around Faith’s waist, pressing her body into her lover’s back. “Were you trying to start something, love?”

“Not me.” Faith shakes her head. “Just asked him if he was treatin’ B right, then he told me if I wasn’t treatin’ you right, he’d fix it, chip or no chip.” Faith condenses the conversation to the basics.

“Then there’s no problem.” Tara states calmly, looking towards Buffy and Spike. “Right, Spike? Because Faith would kill herself before she’d harm me.” Tara smiles softly as Faith nods her head in agreement with her statement.

“Alright.” Spike softens his stance somewhat.

Buffy sighs quietly, shaking her head. “Now that World War III has been avoided, we probably need to start getting ready for the rehearsal dinner.” Buffy looks towards Dawn.

“Do you need any help?” Tara softly questions, hugging Faith tighter to her.

“No, I think we pretty much got it, right?” Buffy grins at Dawn.

“Thank God we get to wear regular clothes to the dinner. We had to talk Anya out of having special dresses for it, too.” Dawn rolls her eyes. “And why she insists us being there two hours before the dinner is beyond me.” Dawn grumbles before stomping up the stairs.

“Anya’s being unbearable, I take it?” Tara questions of Buffy.

“You have no idea. Every little thing has to be just so. If not, it’s a major catastrophe.” Buffy groans quietly. “I’m just thankful Dawn had her cast removed before the wedding. Anya was going on and on about how the pictures were going to be ruined because of it.” Buffy shakes her head. “I guess I better change, you guys behave.” Buffy turns looking intently at Spike.

“I’ll behave, luv.” Spike smiles at Buffy.

“See that you do.” Buffy leans up and places a quick kiss on his lips before heading upstairs.

Spike follow’s Buffy with his eyes before sitting down, keeping his gaze on the other two women.

“Are you tired, love?” Tara questions Faith as she places a soft kiss on her neck. “You didn’t get much sleep last night, then drove all the way here.”

“Not plannin’ on gettin’ much sleep tonight, either.” Faith smirks turning in the witch’s arms and placing a firm kiss on her lips. “I am a little tired.” Faith admits, hugging Tara close, leaning her head down into the witch’s neck. “Take a nap with me?” Faith questions, smiling.

“There won’t be any napping, if I go with you.” Tara admits smirking. Running her hands up and down the slayer’s strong back, Tara glances over to a smirking vampire. “Spike, you can stop with the smirking. We’re behaving ourselves right now.”

“This is behaving?” Spikes eyes widen in surprise. “Well, I want to see you two not behaving.”

“Then I’ll have to stake your ass.” Faith growls, her body tensing in anger.

“Easy, love.” Tara whispers, tightening her grip on Faith. “He’s doing it just to get you irritated, and you’re letting him.” Tara leans her upper body back to look in Faith’s angry eyes. “Let it go, love.”

Faith snarls silently, before finally nodding her head, looking into Tara’s soft blue eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you too, babe.” Tara smiles gently, reaching one hand up to thread through her lover’s hair before leaning in and kissing her deeply. Finally pulling back a short distance, Tara smiles crookedly at Faith. “Go take a nap, love. And have sweet dreams.”

“Rather have the real thing.” Faith bitches, before leaning in and kissing Tara briefly. “You know where I am if you wanna join me.” Faith wiggles her eyebrows, smirking.

“If we’re going out on patrol tonight, I want you to get a nap in, an actual nap!” Tara admonishes, smiling. “Go sleep, my beautiful slayer.”

“I’m goin’. I’m goin’.” Faith grumbles as she walks up the stairs.

Tara chuckles quietly, watching Faith, before shaking her head and sitting down on the couch. Glancing over at Spike, she raises an eyebrow. “You hurt anyone, I will personally wipe you off the face of the earth. I know you have good in you, Spike. But I also know you’re a vampire. Those two things will cause conflict, so you better be sure the part of you that really truly loves Buffy and Dawn, wins at all costs, because you will NOT like what I will do to you.” Tara states quietly and sincerely, a flash of power crossing her eyes.

Spike swallows and unconsciously shifts the chair back as his demon cowers back away from the power it senses in the witch. “Don’t worry, Glinda. I won’t hurt them none.”

“See that you don’t.” Tara nods her head towards the vampire before smiling. “So you’re living here, now. How’s that working out?”

Spike shakes his head at the mercurial disposition of the witch, before answering. “They have a bit o’ trouble rememberin’ to close the drapes, but they’re getting better ‘bout it.” Spike admits chuckling. “Then I ain’t allowed to smoke in the house. As a matter of fact, Buffy’s making me quit.” Spike snarls his lip up at that thought. “Says it smells rank.”

Tara chuckles quietly at the vampire. “It does, Spike.” Tara’s eyes twinkle at the thought of the vampire becoming all domesticated. “Are you helping Buffy keep from getting hurt on patrol?”

“Pretty much. Occasionally a bloke’ll get in a lucky shot or two, but nothing major. Just a couple bruises occasionally.” Spike admits. “Kinda hard to keep her out of the fray. She won’t let me do it for her.”

“It’s who she is, Spike. She won’t ever stop completely. I think she would be lost if she couldn’t go and beat up on evil beings. Goddess knows Faith would be.” Tara smiles softly, thinking about her lover.

“You really love the bint, don’t you?” Spike questions, a note of disbelief in his voice.

“Completely, Spike. I would do absolutely anything for her, no questions asked.” Tara looks upwards towards the bedroom they’ll be sharing.

“More than Red?” Spike questions softly.

Tara’s gaze turns to contemplate the vampire. “Yes.” She softly answers. “I wouldn’t have thought it possible, but she’s mine as I’m hers. Completely.” Tara smiles at the thought, a beautiful, almost glowing look, crossing her face.

Spike tilts his head, stunned at the look of love crossing Tara’s face. ‘Obviously way more than Red.’ He thinks to himself, nodding in acceptance of the dark slayer with the blonde witch. “Then I won’t be buggin’ your slayer, then.”

“Thank you.” Tara grins at the vampire before glancing up the stairs as Buffy and Dawn finally come back down. “You two look beautiful.” Tara smiles softly at the two Summers’.

“Thank you.” Buffy nods. “You two behaving?”

“I was.” Spike smirks at the witch.

“I got my point across, now I’m on my best behavior.” Tara smirks back at the vampire.

“I’m not even going to ask.” Buffy shakes her head, then sighs loudly as a horn honks outside. “That’s perfect timing. Come on, Dawn. The ride’s here. Don’t kill each other while we’re gone, okay?”

“We won’t.” Tara shakes her head smiling as the two women leave the house.

“So what d’ya want to do, Glinda? Want to talk about our respective love lives?” Spike stretches his legs out in front of him, smirking at the witch.

“Want to throw the Frisbee around outside?” Tara smirks back at the vampire.

“You have changed, ain’t you?” Spike laughs quietly. “You’re not the blushing, shy witch you were. They tried to tell me you were different.”

“No, I’m not.” Tara shakes her head laughing quietly. “Faith’s been a good influence on me. At least I think so.” Tara chuckles.

“I’ll agree with that.” Spike nods his head before standing to walk towards the witch. “Got a hug for a mean, old vampire?” Spike offers his arms out to Tara, chuckling as Tara stands up hugging him tightly.

“I guess I better. Don’t want you to go all pissy on me because I don’t give you one.” Tara smiles as she pulls away. “I’m glad things are working out between you two.”

Spike nods sitting down beside Tara on the couch. “It got a bit dicey there for a while. Of course, you know me. I had to do and say stupid stuff just to get her pissed. I’ve finally learned not to do that quite so much.” Spike admits leaning back into the couch.

“She deserves to be loved. Hell, we all do.” Tara laughs looking at the vampire. “Even you, you evil vampire, you.”

“That’s me, luv. The Big Bad. Evil vampire and all that rot.” Spike laughs looking back at the witch. “I think I’ve been neutered in more ways than one.” He admits chuckling even louder.

“Spike!” Tara laughs smacking him across the arm. “But it was worth it, wasn’t it?”

“That it was, luv. That it was.” Spike answers honestly. Spike watches as Tara’s eyes drift upwards again, almost as if she’s seeking out Faith. “Why don’t you go upstairs?” He questions softly.

“Because she needs her sleep.” Tara explains, smiling. “We stayed up almost all of last night, then she drove here while I took a nap. She’s about wore out.” Tara admits biting her lip. “I probably should have let her go to sleep earlier last night, but…” Tara trails off laughing quietly.

“But you two were obviously having too much fun to go to sleep, eh?” Spike chuckles tilting his head back on the couch. “It kind of shocked me when Buffy came back telling me you and Faith hooked up. I kind of thought you were out of her class. Then I was almost afraid she’d end up hurting you. Her track record ain’t for shit.”

“No, but then again she was never really given the chance to love someone, Spike.” Tara admits quietly. “Her life growing up was totally fucked up. And everything just seemed to snowball from there. She never really knew what love was. Now she does.” Tara smiles, closing her eyes thinking about her lover.

“There you go.” Spike turns his head to look at Tara. “That’s what you do, luv. You teach us about love, caring and being there for each other. If you tell anyone, I’ll call you a liar, but I’ve missed you around here. You and Lil’ Bit were the only ones that ever treated me halfway decent. I ain’t ever thanked you for that, so… Thank you.” Spike pats Tara gently on the leg before pulling his hand back to rest between them.

“You’re welcome, Spike.” Tara nods, smiling. “What time are you planning on starting patrol?”

“Well, I usually head out about an hour after the sun sets. But if you want to have some time with your bird, I can head out right as it sets. You two don’t need to go on patrol with me.” Spike glances back at the witch.

“No, we’ll go with you.” Tara shakes her head smiling. “But if you don’t mind maybe heading out a little later, I wouldn’t mind spending a little time with Faith. Just try and not listen in too much, okay? I’ve been picked on enough by your Grandsire.”

“The Poof listens in?” Spike snorts out a laugh. “I guess he’s got to get his kinks somehow, huh?” Spike chuckles. “Go on up, luv. Give ‘er hell.”

“Oh, I will.” Tara smirks wickedly, a glint in her eye as she glances at the vampire before quickly heading up the stairs.

“Well, I’ll be damned!” Spike laughs quietly to himself. “No more mousey witch there. That’s a full-blooded Siren come to call.” Spike nods his head. “About fuckin’ time, you came into your own, Glinda. About fuckin’ time.” He closes his eyes, concentrating on the noises coming from outside to distract him from the noises soon to come from upstairs.

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