The Rogue Slayer

“See, borin’.” Faith waves a hand around the empty cemetery. “We ain’t seen a single vampire or demon.”



“That’s okay. We can consider this a quiet evening stroll.” Tara smiles at Faith as she runs a hand gently over the slayer’s shoulder.



“I could think of more scenic places to walk than a cemetery.” Faith frowns as her senses start to tingle. Sharpening her gaze, she starts looking around more intently.



Tara notices Faith tensing immediately. Looking around Tara doesn’t notice anything, but as she notices which way Faith’s looking, she sharpens her gaze and sees a blonde guy heading towards them.



“Spike.” Faith hisses out the name, snarling her nose at the vampire.



“That’s right, luv.” Spike gets within distance, grinning at the dark-haired slayer. Inhaling deeply, he raises an eyebrow. “Getting yourself a bit of the blonde one there, are you?” He questions as he lights a cigarette. “No need to worry about me, luv. The government group fixed me up right good.” Spike taps his head as he notices the blonde woman backing away from him.



“Faith?” Tara questions softly.



Spike rolls his eyes. “Got a chip in my head, luv. Can’t hurt a human.” Spike’s eyes open wide as the blonde's fear literally quadruples as he finishes his comments. Taking a chance, he vamps out, shoving Faith away before she has a chance to get at him. Pouncing on Tara, he sinks his teeth in her neck as soon as the first drop of blood enters his mouth, he shoves the woman away from him. Spitting strongly on the ground and wiping his tongue, he yells as he’s slammed into the ground by a furious slayer.



“YOU’RE GONNA FUCKIN’ DIE!” Faith screams into his face, slamming her fist repeatedly into his head.



“I CAN’T EAT HER! SHE AIN’T DEMON!” Spike yells at the top of his lungs as he tries to protect himself, wrapping his arms around his head and curling his body in a tight ball as Faith pounds away at every available part of him.



“You didn’t have brain pain, you asshole! Why didn’t…” Faith looks up with shocked eyes at Tara.



“She ain’t demon.” Spike whimpers quietly in pain. “She ain’t human, but she ain’t demon, you bloody bint!”



Faith hops up, looking at Tara’s neck, seeing the barely pierced skin, her worried eyes looking into her shocked lovers eyes. Quickly wrapping her arms around Tara she turns her gaze back on Spike. “Whatever you know, spill it now and you might fuckin’ live, as much as you can live you fuckin’ vamp.” Faith snarls at the bleached blonde vampire.



“You don’t know what you are?” Spike turns surprised eyes on the blonde. “Ain’t you gonna introduce us, luv?” Spike questions as he slowly stands, wiping the blood from his busted lip, while staying hunched over, favoring his side.



“You don’t deserve a fuckin’ introduction. Spit it out, now!” Faith takes a threatening step towards the vampire, stopped by Tara.



“Give him a chance, if he knows something…” Tara’s soft voice soothes the slayer. Turning her gaze towards the vampire, Tara sighs as she pulls her hand away from her neck, seeing the small dots of blood on her hand, surprised at the lack of blood. “I’m Tara.” Tara finally whispers as she looks at the blonde vampire, ignoring his outstretched hand.



“Well, right lovely you are. Not very friendly though, are you?” Spike pulls his hand back digging his cigarettes out again and lighting one.



“Why should she be friendly to a blood suckin’ ass that just tried to have her for dinner?” Faith growls dangerously, her eyes flashing with anger. “Start talking Spike before you become dust buster feed.”



“Alright, alright.” Spike raises his hands in supplication. “Obviously the bint here ain’t reached her maturity yet, or I’d already be dust buster feed, as you so rightly put it.” Spike growls quietly.



“Information, Spike.” Faith snaps and breaks his nose with a quick fast hit.



“FUCK! No call for that.” Spike holds his nose, grimacing in pain. “She’s fuckin’ elf, you dumb bint. She comes into her full power when she turns 20. You can’t mean to tell me you didn’t know? There‘s obvious physical differences and she‘s stronger than most normal humans right now, affinity for earth magic and healing, that will become unbelievable when she matures. Might even match you for strength. If I‘d tried to eat her when she reached maturity, a single drop of her blood would have killed me. Damn blood tastes like honey, most demons don‘t know what it means and would have kept on drinking.” Spike growls as he sets his nose, grunting in pain. “Now, I’ll be goin’ then.”



“Elf?” Tara and Faith both turn at each other in surprise. “I thought that was one of the fairy tale creatures.” Tara murmurs softly, her eyes showing her surprise as her hand raises to stroke her fingers over the tips of her pointy ears.



“Nah, not fairy tales. Just extremely rare nowadays.” Spike admits as he slowly backs away from the two women, hoping to escape with his undead life. “Only came across one other elf before, he was a right spooky bloke. Killed one of the vamps me and Dru was runnin’ with at the time. Didn’t realize what he was and teased the other vamp until it finally attacked him, Dru tried to warn the bloody pillock. Very wicked, painful death by elf’s blood. Saw that with my own two eyes. He explained a bit about elf’s before disappearing. Dru had her usual psychic picturing stuff that I was able to decipher the rest out of. Now you know what I do. I’ll be going now.” Spike quickly turns and runs away as quickly as he can, before they decide to stake him.



Tara looks at surprise at Faith. “But I’m not completely human.” Tara whispers.



“You aren’t demon, love.” Faith cups the witch’s face between her two hands. “Not demon, no growing a tail or becoming evil.” A wicked smile crosses the slayer’s face. “I got my own female version of Legolas!”



“Faith!” Tara smacks the slayer on the hip.



“Hey! That explains your wicked strong fingers that you like to pinch me with.” Faith starts to frown. “Stronger, healing and earth magic. Your bloods obviously bad news for vamps, but what else?” Faith looks at Tara’s watch before digging her phone out of her pocket.



Tara watches Faith curiously, feeling a sense of relief that she isn’t going to turn into an evil demon, but wondering what this means and why her mother didn’t tell her.



“G-man. Got a question for ya’.” Faith can’t help but wrap an arm around Tara, pulling the witch in against her body at the shell shocked look on her face.



“Yes, Faith. What is it that you need to know?” Giles questions as he sighs, wondering what the dark-haired teen might be wanting, since she hardly ever calls him asking for help.



“Elves, G-man. Do you got any information on them that I can borrow to read up on?” Faith strokes her free hand down Tara’s back while she places a kiss on the witch’s head.



“Elves?” Giles pulls his glasses off in surprise. “There hasn’t been a documented case of an elf for over five hundred years, Faith. Why are you wanting information on elves?”



“Giles!” Faith growls the watchers name. “Do you have information that I can borrow or not?”



“Well, I’m sure I have a couple books that have information on them.” Giles quickly starts sorting through his books. “I might have another one or two at the store.”



“Fine. We’ll meet you at the Magic Box in twenty minutes.” Faith states as she disconnects the phone, not giving Giles a chance to argue. Tucking the phone away, Faith wraps both arms around Tara, holding the slightly shaking woman in her arms. “You’re not a demon, babe. And it is so much a plus that you’re pretty much a no no for vampires to put on a buffet, so I don’t have to worry about them eatin’ ya’.” Faith runs a hand up to cup behind Tara’s head.



Tara nods her understanding into the slayer’s neck, but isn’t able to control her shaking. “But what does it mean?” Tara finally questions, shifting back from the slayer, looking into the warm brown eyes.



“That’s what we’re gonna work on finding out, babe. But what we know is, is that you are stronger, have gorgeous pointy ears that seriously turn me on…” Faith’s eyes twinkle as Tara laughs at that comment. “And vampires absolutely die for your blood…literally.”



“As long as I’m not an evil elf, I guess that’s of the good.” Tara finally smiles crookedly at her lover.



“I don’t see where you could be anything evil, babe.” Faith whispers seriously. “You’re too good-hearted to become evil.”



Tara whimpers quietly as Faith kisses her softly. Unable to resist, Tara delves into the slayer’s mouth, stroking her tongue firmly around the slayer’s as she presses her body in tightly against the firm muscular body of her lover.



Groaning, Faith finally eases away from Tara, her eyes heavy with desire as she looks upon her lover. “Maybe we should head to the Magic Box.”



Tara pants heavily, nodding her head in agreement before pulling Faith in for another strong kiss. Finally releasing the slayer, Tara steps back a couple feet. “Go, now.” Tara whispers as she slowly starts walking towards the Magic Box.



Faith nods her head, following Tara, her heart still beating hard in her chest. After a few minutes, Faith thanks her lucky stars that some demon didn’t take advantage of the two women being distracted. Getting her head back into the game, Faith keeps an eye out for anything that might cause them or someone else problems.



***



“Babe?” Faith questions as they get close to the Magic Box.



“Yes.” Tara turns to look at her lover questioningly.



“Do we have to keep this a secret, now? I mean it isn’t anythin’ bad, so what do ya’ think?” Faith hesitantly voices her thoughts.



“I…” Tara blinks a couple times running a hand through her hair while considering it for a few minutes. “I guess we don’t have to.”



“I don’t have to tell him why I want the books, if you don’t want me to.” Faith offers quietly.



“No, no.” Tara shakes her head. “I guess it might be best to get this out, now. And if I’m not going to actually turn into a demon, that’s of the good, I hope.” Tara’s brows furrow momentarily.



“Is it so hard to believe that you aren’t a demon?” Faith stops Tara outside the Magic Box, her hand stroking down the witch’s cheek. “Instead you’re a sexy elf.” Faith raises her hand, brushing the hair behind the witch’s ear. Stroking softly over the tip, Faith smiles at the sexy groan coming from the witch at her soft caress. “I wonder if those books mention what an erotic zone your ears are.” Faith’s sex roughened voice offers.



Tara reaches up and pulls the teasing hand down, her eyes opening slowly. “Hope there aren’t any other erogenous zones that you’re going to try and find in those books. You use that particular zone frequently enough.” Tara hoarsely admits, a wicked smile crossing her face.



“Yeah, but I want to try just kissing, licking and nipping an ear and see if I can get ya’ to climax that way, without me touchin’ you anywhere else.” Faith grins knowingly at her lover.



Tara whimpers quietly. “So not fair.”



“Everythin’s fair.” Faith smirks as she grasps Tara’s hand in hers. “Come on, babe. Let’s go in, G-man’s already here.” Faith tilts her head towards the lit up shop.



Taking a deep breath, Tara nods her head and follows Faith into the shop.



Giles looks down from the stacks, watching as Faith and Tara walk into the shop. “If you don’t mind, throw the lock behind you, that way we aren’t bothered.”



Faith turns and locks the door before walking down to the table looking at the books already sitting there. Flipping them open to the pages marked, Faith gives one of the books a cursory glance before shifting them in front of Tara.



“Now, would you care to tell me what the bloody hell is going on?” Giles questions as he carries a couple books down the stairs, placing them on the table before he sits down heavily in one of the chairs, his gaze going from Faith to Tara and back again.



“Tare?” Faith questions softly looking at the witch.



Tara sighs quietly looking at Giles as he turns his gaze on her. Walking around the table and sitting down beside the watcher, Tara gently tucks her hair behind her ear. “She’s wanting to know because of me, Mr. Giles.” Tara softly admits.



“Dear, Lord.” Giles’ eyes bug out and his hand reaches towards the ear.



“Uh, don’t do that, Mr. G.” Faith’s hand intercedes his. “They’re a bit on the sensitive side.” Faith states diplomatically smiling at Tara, who just quirks her lip.



“Yes, yes, quite.” Giles blinks repeatedly in surprise. “Why didn’t you tell us, dear?” Giles questions as he yanks off his glasses wiping them furiously.



“Because she didn’t know.” Faith growls as she sits down beside Tara pulling one of the books towards her. “We ran into Spike tonight, and he kind of decided to try and make her dinner when he sensed her fear ratchet up after he told her he couldn’t hurt a HUMAN.” Faith spits out the word.



“Elf blood is sure death for demons.” Giles looks in surprise at the slayer. “Is he dead?”



“He spit it out before he swallowed. He didn’t even sink his fangs in all the way.” Faith shows the two small puncture wounds on the witch’s neck. “Let me go get something to clean those.” Faith frowns at her own insensitivity, jumping up and running into the bathroom to get the small first aid kit.



“You didn’t know, dear?” Giles questions, still not understanding.



“No. My mother never told me.” Tara admits quietly.



“I wonder why not.” Giles blinks in surprise. “Well, what I know is that the female elf begets the line through the female of the species. She can’t have a male child and him be elf. Same for the male species, they can, of course, have female children, but to carry on the elfin line they must have a male.”



“That’s why my brother didn’t have the pointy ears.” Tara whispers softly, watching as Faith strides back into the room, kneeling beside her and cleansing the wound.



“Exactly.” Giles smiles at the witch. Reaching across the table, he shifts the books, grabbing one in particular. Flipping it open, he smiles as he points to the picture of a beautiful elfin maiden.



“Tell her she ain’t gonna turn evil, G-man.” Faith looks at the watcher, her eyes begging him.



“Evil? She’s not evil, she’s part of the circle of life. She is part of what balances the world. That’s why she was able to heal you so well, Faith.” His eyes open wide as they turn to consider the witch. “It started a link, didn’t it?”



Tara hesitantly nods. “I know how to dissolve it, if she wishes. I explained to her what it means.” Tara winces as whatever Faith is doing stings briefly.



“Dear, I hate to tell you this… But if you aren’t aware of being an elf, you probably aren’t quite aware of what the link entails.” Giles runs a hand through his graying hair.



“G-man, tell us already!” Faith growls as she places a band aid on the wound before tossing the kit on the table and plopping down in the chair beside Tara.



“I only remember bits and pieces…” Giles starts then sighs heavily as Faith growls at him. “Alright, then. If an elf takes a mate, and that love is returned, it causes a link between the two. An unbreakable bond is formed, and even death can’t break it.”



“What do you mean, death can’t break it?” Tara questions softly as she pulls the book towards her, running a fingertip over the picture of the beautiful elfin maiden.



“That is actually up for debate.” Giles raises his hand as Faith turns angry eyes on him. “There isn’t a lot known about elves, Faith. What I said about the bond is all that was written in the books I have here. There are comments about what people think it means, but no one knows for sure. It ranges from where the elf can bring it’s mate back to life if she or he dies, to where they will follow them in death with both being reincarnated to find each other again in their next life.”



“So, it’s pretty much conjecture.” Tara whispers. “Did it say how long it takes for the bond to reach that stage?” Tara eyes raise to look at the watcher.



“No. But from everything I read, the bond is formed as soon as the love is returned. The link itself gets stronger with time, with things you can do to strengthen it quickly, but if the love is returned, you can never dissolve the link completely.” Giles sighs quietly looking at the two women. “Those words supposedly come straight from one of the elder elves, according to the book. My honest suggestion is, take these books with you and read everything on it. Unfortunately, they’ll probably make you have more questions than giving you the answers you seek.”



Faith growls deeply before gathering the books into a neat pile, standing to grab a bag to carry them in. “Find out more information, G-man. Contact the Council and see if they have any more info.”



“I’ll get what I can, Faith.” Giles sighs quietly as he follows the two women towards the front of the shop. “I just don’t think there’s much more we will have. You would need to find one of the elders to get the information you seek, and unfortunately it’s been over 500 years since the Council has recorded seeing an elf.”



“Yeah, well, they obviously still exist.” Faith points towards Tara. “We got livin’ proof right here. Personally, I don’t much care what all this shit means as long as Tare isn’t gonna turn evil. That’s the only thing I really care about. But I know she wants to find out everything she can and we‘re gonna help.”



Giles nods his understanding. “I’ll contact the Council tomorrow, Faith. You two ladies be careful.”



“Thank you, Mr. Giles.” Tara allows a small smile to cross her face as she and Faith walk out of the shop.



“Sorry I wasn’t of more help.” Giles whispers as he watches the two women walk down the sidewalk. Turning off the lights, Giles sets the alarm and locks the door before walking to his car.



***



Faith nibbles her lip as she looks occasionally at Tara as they walk back to the apartment in silence. Walking up the steps, Faith punches in their code before opening the door, allowing Tara to walk into the building in front of her. Deciding to take the elevator, Faith punches the button before turning her gaze on the quiet witch. “Tara?” Faith finally questions softly.



Tara’s eyes turn towards Faith, taking a moment to focus in. “I’m sorry, Faith.” Tara smiles sadly at Faith before reaching up to stroke down the slayer’s face. “I’m kind of having a thousand thoughts running around uncontrollably in my mind right now.”



“I can understand that.” Faith follows Tara into the elevator. “Can I kind of make a suggestion?” Faith hesitantly questions Tara.



“Sure, sweetie.” Tara smiles a more genuine smile at the slayer.



“Maybe you should wait ‘til this weekend to read these books?” Faith lifts the books in question, holding the door open as they arrive on their floor.



“I think that’s a very smart idea.” Tara unlocks the door to their apartment, flipping the light on as Faith follows her in, locking it behind her. Tara reaches down and unties her shoes, placing them by the door, watching Faith as she quickly divests herself of her weapons before untying her own shoes. “Would you like something to munch on, sweetie?”



Faith eyes Tara for a moment, grinning. “Maybe a bowl of ice cream would be good.” Faith finally answers.



“A bowl or a whole half gallon?” Tara jokes as she pulls down a large bowl, digging around in the drawers until she finds the ice cream scoop. Opening the freezer, Tara tilts her head. “Hmmm. Vanilla, chocolate, rocky road, butter pecan, peanut butter cup or chocolate chocolate chip?” Tara blinks as she turns back to Faith her eyebrow cocked so high it disappears into her hair.



Faith sighs as she sets the books on the coffee table. “How come I got the feelin’ you’re pickin’ on me about the ice cream? And rocky road, please.”



Tara chuckles as she pulls out the ice cream, scooping out a good portion before replacing it in the freezer and carrying the bowl and spoon over to the slayer. Sitting down on the couch, Tara glances at the books, sighing quietly.



“Should I move them?” Faith offers reaching for the books.



“No, sit and eat your ice cream, sweetie.” Tara smiles as she stands and moves the books to the bookcase before sitting back down on the couch, leaning against Faith. “No demon.” Tara whispers.



“No. No demon.” Faith answers softly, turning to place a kiss on Tara’s cheek. “Does that make you feel better?” Faith questions seriously.



“Yes… and no.” Tara looks up at Faith. “I am very, very happy I’m not going to turn evil. But now I’m wondering why my mother wouldn’t tell me about being an elf. It just doesn’t make any sense.”



“You said she usually had her reasons for what she did, babe. Maybe it’ll just take time for her reasons to make themselves known.” Faith finishes her ice cream, placing the empty bowl on the end table and turning on the couch to face Tara.



“If they ever do.” Tara sighs quietly, her eyes sad.



“Why don’t you go fill up the tub with lots of hot water and bubbles while I take care of the dishes?” Faith offers quietly. “A nice long soak with relaxing bubbles and jets pounding away at what’s bothering you will make you feel better.



Tara smiles at her lover. “I so owe you, for everything you’ve done, sweetie.”



“We’ll figure out some kind of payment.” Faith jokes softly, reaching up to stroke her fingers lightly down Tara’s cheek.



“I’m sure we will.” Tara smiles knowingly at the slayer before leaning in and kissing her softly, the two women slowly easing their mouths open to let their tongues entwine gently. Softly stroking over each other for a few long minutes before mutually easing back to look at each other. “Are you going to join me?” Tara questions as she slowly stands.



“Try to stop me.” Faith grabs her bowl, following Tara as far as the kitchen before running the water to wash the dishes, smiling as she hears Tara turn the water on in the bathroom.