What If??

“Need help?” Buffy questions as she trots out to the Jeep to help her mother unload the groceries.

Joyce peaks from around the back of the Jeep, eyeing her daughter. “Been home for a while?” Joyce questions with a raised eyebrow.

“Huh?” Buffy mumbles as she grabs a couple bags.

“After you help me get the groceries in, you might want to go brush your hair.” Joyce smirks as she heads towards the house.

Buffy groans and rolls her eyes before following her mother into the house. “Just wait until you find someone. You are going to be in for some serious ribbing.” Buffy grumbles setting the groceries down on the counter before going out to the vehicle to get the last bags.

Joyce chuckles as she watches her daughter stride out of the kitchen. “If only.” Joyce wishes quietly. Before quickly putting away the groceries.

“What’s for dinner?” Buffy questions as she sets down the last of the groceries, helping her mother put them away.

“Want burgers and hot dogs, Mexican or meatloaf?” Joyce questions leaving a big package of hamburger out on the counter while putting another package in the refrigerator.

“Let me check with Tara. I’m up for any and all of the above.” Buffy admits, grinning.

“Aren’t you always.” Joyce shakes her head watching Buffy leave the kitchen. Joyce finishes putting away the rest of the groceries, waiting for Buffy to come back.

**********

Buffy leans against the wall by the bathroom door. Knocking gently she smiles as Tara cracks the door, poking her head out. “Dressed yet?” Buffy questions, trying to sneak a peak at the witch.

“Hoping I am, or that I’m not?” Tara questions, raising an eyebrow, making sure to stay behind the door.

“Not going to let me peak?” Buffy’s eyes twinkle.

“Nope. Last time you came to visit me in the bathroom, there was a reason and it took a while for you to get to that reason.” Tara looks inquisitively at the slayer.

“You’re no fun at all.” Buffy whines, running her hand over Tara’s, while gently pushing against the door.

“Uh, uh. Why are you here, sweetie?” Tara chuckles as Buffy pouts.

“Hamburgers and hot dogs, meatloaf or Mexican for dinner?” Buffy finally asks before running a finger over Tara’s jaw.

“How about hamburgers and hot dogs for dinner tonight? I’m sure your mom was planning a more regular meal for dinner tomorrow night. Give me a few minutes and I can come down to help, if she wants.” Tara’s eyes twinkle merrily as Buffy tries to push the door open again. “Stop that! Your mom’s going to know you were up to something you take much longer.”

“She already told me I needed to brush my hair.” Buffy admits, smirking. “So, I’m just trying to do what she told me.”

“Riiight.” Tara drawls out, chuckling. “Even though your hair does need a good brushing. I wonder what could have made it look that way?” Tara jokes looking at her lover’s messy hair.

“Fine, obviously it needs a good brushing. Now why don’t you let me brush it and make everyone happy?” Buffy starts bouncing on the balls of her feet.

“Okay.” Tara gives in, opening the door, letting Buffy come into the bathroom as she runs out, completely dressed, to head downstairs.

“NOT FAIR!” Buffy yells, after Tara’s already down the stairs, realizing Tara duped her. Hearing Tara’s laughter, Buffy grumbles as she grabs the brush, realizing as she looks in the mirror, that she looks like she had been laid well and thoroughly. “And I have.” Buffy smirks into the mirror before setting it to rights.

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

“Hi.” Tara shyly states as she walks into the kitchen, blushing as she sees the knowing look she receives from Joyce.

“Uh, huh.” Joyce smirks. “What was decided for dinner?”

“Hamburgers and hot dogs are fine.” Tara glances around. “Do you want some help?”

“Nope. Got it covered.” Joyce chuckles quietly. “I was actually surprised that you two were home. I kind of figured that you might still be at the hospital with Faith.”

“Yeah, well…” Tara sighs quietly as what happened comes to the fore again. “We weren’t there that long. Faith kind of had a freak and wasn’t wanting to talk.” Tara sits down, running a finger over the island counter.

Joyce looks with concern at Tara, before glancing up as she watches Buffy standing there looking nervous. “What about?” Joyce questions softly.

“She realized that everything any of us had said to her actually happened.” Buffy admits coming to stand behind Tara, massaging the witch’s tense shoulders.

“She heard…” Joyce starts, then stops as the ramifications of what that could mean crosses her mind.

“Yeah. My being a total bitch to her.” Buffy admits, the self-hatred evident in her tones.

“Sweetie.” Tara murmurs reaching up and clasping Buffy’s hands, pulling them down around her. “There’s a good possibility that she isn’t even thinking of that. What might have her scared is the fact that you want her back, want her friendship and want to make up to her for everything that happened.”

“My luck don’t run that way, Tara.” Buffy admits, tilting her head down to rest against Tara’s, as she sighs deeply.

“Give it time, sweetie. We’ll try and help her as much as we can.” Tara looks sadly at Joyce. “Faith remembered you visiting her a couple times, also.”

Joyce nods her head. “I did.” Joyce sits down looking at her daughter’s guilty eyes to Tara’s sad eyes. “Mostly I just sat with her. A few times I talked about the fact that I should have insisted she come to stay with us. She never should have been left to her own devices, living in those rat infested motel rooms. That‘s pretty much all I ever talked about when I was with her.”

Tara nibbles on her lip in contemplation, while stroking Buffy’s arms. “Buffy, sweetie?” Tara questions hesitantly.

“You want me to talk to Xander, don’t you?” Buffy questions, anticipating what her lover is going to ask.

“Please.” Tara tilts her head back looking up at Buffy.

“Okay.” Buffy smiles softly at the witch, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before pulling her arms away to pick up the phone. “I’ll go outside.”

Joyce watches as Tara furrows her brows in thought. “What are you thinking?” Joyce questions softly.

“I’m thinking that ultimately, Faith is scared shitless that all the people that she’s tried to hurt are wanting to help her. They’re wanting to be her friend.” Tara admits glancing up, pinning the older Summers woman with her deep blue eyes. “I don’t think she knows what love is, and it, more than anything, scares her.”

Joyce’s considers the witch’s words. “You may be right.” Joyce reaches over and pats Tara’s hand before standing to make the hamburger patties for dinner.

Tara watches Joyce while she fixes the hamburgers, placing them in the skillet. “Joyce?” Tara questions softly.

Turning, Joyce looks at Tara, seeing the apprehensive look on her face, she smiles. “Tara, you’re my daughter’s girlfriend. You’re doing things to her in my house, that I really would rather not even think about, so if you have something to ask or say, just spit it out.” Joyce smirks at Tara as she blushes deeply. “Of course, she’s probably the one actually doing the corrupting in this relationship.”

Tara can’t help but giggle at Joyce. “I’m not so sure about that…” Tara wiggles her eyebrows, even as she’s blushing. Taking a deep breath, Tara relaxes. “I do actually have something to ask you.” Tara looks searchingly in Joyce’s eyes.

“Go ahead.” Joyce states seriously as she sits down, watching Tara.

“When Faith comes out of her coma and needs somewhere to stay…” Tara hesitates, then smiles as she sees the dawning understanding on Joyce’s face.

“Of course she’ll be welcome to stay here.” Joyce whispers quietly.

“If she will, it’s wonderful of you to allow her to come here.” Tara let’s out a huge sigh of relief.

“No, it’s something that I should have done previously.” Joyce watches as Tara smiles in understanding.

“We all make mistakes.” Tara shrugs softly. “Sometimes we have a chance to correct them, sometimes we have to make up for them the best way we can, and other times we just have to go on.” Tara leans back and glances out the back door, smiling as she watches Buffy wave her hand around while she’s talking to Xander. Turning her gaze back to Joyce, she frowns. “I’m more worried about the police and the Watcher’s Council.” Tara admits.

“Rupert is trying to deal with the Watcher’s Council. If he can get them to give us a chance to help Faith, they can probably deal with the police.” Joyce explains quietly.

Tara growls quietly, her eyes darkening. “They better do what’s right regarding that woman. I believe they screwed up enough before.”

“They have a hard time learning from their mistakes.” Joyce rolls her eyes. “I just hope we have a chance to make things right.” Hesitating for a moment Joyce looks down at the counter before looking back up. “Do you think there’s a good chance you can help her? Not only wake up from the coma, but…” Joyce taps the side of her head, watching Tara intently.

“I think so.” Tara smiles softly. “The biggest battle will be Faith herself. If she’ll let me help her. I can help the physical portion, and some of the spiritual portion. But unless she’s wanting to be better, I can only take her so far.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Joyce questions, frowning.

“Maybe visiting her. Talking to her to let her know you’re here for her, if she needs you to be. Basically being a friend to her.” Tara’s eyes turn to the door as Buffy walks in. “I think the biggest thing that Faith needs, is to know that there are people here that really do care for her. That could make the biggest difference.”

Buffy nods as she walks in. “That’s pretty much what Xander said he talked to her about, when he visits her. That he’s here for her.” Buffy hangs up the phone before turning around to stand beside Tara, smiling as she wraps an arm around her waist. “He’s got the guilt complex thing going on, too. He said he talks to her about how he shouldn’t have taken advantage of her.” Buffy sighs quietly. “I feel like we all fucked up royally regarding Faith.”

“She made her own decisions, Buffy.” Tara whispers quietly. “Circumstances may have made her think she didn’t have any choice. But ultimately, she did. There’s just as much eating away at her for what she’s done, what choices she made, that she has to get through before we can help her get well.”

“Well then, I guess that means we’ve got to do everything in our powers to help her through this. To help her get well.” Joyce calmly comments as she stands to turn the hamburgers, and put the hot dogs on to boil. “Do you think I should go in tomorrow morning and sit with her for a while?” Joyce questions as she sits back down.

Tara nibbles on her lip as she considers Joyce’s offer. Finally after a few minutes she nods her head. “Honestly, I think it could only help.”

“Then I’ll go there tomorrow morning. What are you two doing tonight?” Joyce questions, raising an eyebrow as Tara blushes and Buffy smirks.

“Well, I kind of thought you’d enjoy having the house to yourself tonight. So Tara and I are going to her dorm room of love.” Buffy yelps as Tara pinches her. “HEY!”

“What?” Tara looks innocently at the slayer.

Joyce chuckles as she stands to check on the food. “Looks like dinner’s almost ready, ladies.”

“I’ll get the condiments out of the fridge.” Buffy mumbles as she pinches Tara quickly on the nipple while her mom’s back is turned, chuckling as Tara smacks her hand. Leaning in to Tara’s ear, Buffy whispers quietly. “Remember everything you did to me this afternoon?” As Tara nods, Buffy chuckles wickedly. “It’s coming back to you tonight three fold.”

Tara whimpers in realization. Before her eyes start to twinkle. “Sounds like you’re aware of the Wicca creed.”

“May have heard it mentioned a few times.” Buffy chuckles as she sets the items on the island as her mother places the platter with the hamburgers and hot dogs there. “We eating in here?”

“If you two want to.” Joyce looks from one woman to the other.

“That’s fine with me.” Tara smiles in agreement as she stands, grabbing a knife out of the drawer slicing a tomato quickly for the hamburgers.

“Cheese?” Buffy questions as she grabs a head of lettuce out of the refrigerator, tossing it to Tara.

Catching the head of lettuce Tara raises an eyebrow at the slayer and narrows her eyes. “Be careful what you toss my way! I would like some cheese for my burger.” Tara admits while cleaning the head of lettuce.

Joyce chuckles quietly while preparing her hamburger.

“Potato chips?” Buffy questions, reaching up in the cabinet when she gets two nods.

As the three women sit down to eat dinner, Joyce looks at the two women as they sit close to each other, Tara handing items to Buffy before she even asks for them. Chuckling quietly, Joyce grins even bigger as Buffy and Tara both look at her with questioning looks on their faces. “Buffy, did you even notice that Tara was handing you what you needed before you asked for it?”

Buffy frowns looking from her plate of food to Tara back at her mom. “She was?” As Joyce nods her head, laughing, Buffy turns and stares at Tara. “What’s up?”

Tara shrugs looking confused. “I guess I kind of felt what you wanted. I don’t really know. Think something.” Tara questions looking at Buffy. As she gets the feeling of what Buffy would like to be doing, Tara blushes deeply and smacks her on the leg.

“Yep, she can tell what I’m wanting.” Buffy smirks knowingly at the witch. Picking up her hamburger, Buffy takes a huge bite, her eyes twinkling merrily.

Sighing at the two women, Joyce looks questioningly at Tara. “What are you two going to eat for breakfast tomorrow?”

“I still have some leftover lunchmeat and cheese. I figure we can finish that off.” Tara glances at Buffy. “I also have Ramen noodles, if we need them.” Tara chuckles as Buffy scowls.

“Throw that shit away.” Buffy snarls. “I actually still have some money left over from what you gave me for dinner the other day. There’s enough to go out for breakfast.” Buffy looks at Tara.

“I’d rather finish off the food in the refrigerator before it goes bad.” Tara admits quietly. “I hate to waste food.”

“It might get eaten tonight for a late night snack.” Buffy comments before starting on her second hamburger.

“You had a microwave in your room, right?” Joyce questions watching as Tara nods her head. “I have some extra cans of soup, plus Buffy always likes to munch on something, so I usually keep a couple cases of microwave popcorn on hand.”

“HEY!” Buffy yells, frowning. “You make it sound like all I do is eat.” Buffy grumbles before starting her third hamburger.

Tara raises an eyebrow and watches as Buffy quickly polishes off that hamburger. “That’s what, your third burger? And how many hot dogs, four or five?”

Buffy pouts as she makes herself another hot dog. “I’m a growing girl.”

Tara chuckles as she looks at Joyce, who’s trying not to laugh.

“Even if you two are planning on staying in Tara’s dorm room, you’re still coming here for dinner each night, right?” Joyce questions as she finishes her dinner.

“Yes. If you don’t mind.” Buffy raises an eyebrow before smirking at her mom. “If Tara didn’t have so many early classes, we could stay here more often.”

“Are you saying you don’t like my dorm room?” Tara questions before popping a potato chip in her mouth.

“Oh, no. I’m not saying that. Though my bed is bigger than yours.” Buffy states seriously.

“Like we use up that much room.” Tara rolls her eyes at her lover.

“Not while we sleep, we don’t.” Buffy mutters around another hot dog. “But when we’re….OUCH!”

“BUFFY!” Tara smacks Buffy on the leg. “Behave.” Tara blushes deeply, not daring to look at Joyce.

Buffy raises her eyes towards her mom hesitantly. Seeing her mother raising an eyebrow and giving her ‘the look’, Buffy whimpers. “Sorry, mom. I didn’t think.”

“Just don’t give me any details, and we’ll be okay.” Joyce finally smirks at her daughter and Tara. “Want to take a few things with you tonight for food to keep at your room?” Joyce changes the subject, smiling at the still blushing witch.

“It probably wouldn’t hurt to have some kind of munchies there.” Tara’s eyes lift, as she smiles shyly.

“Maybe one of the big cases of popcorn for now.” Buffy tips the bag of chips on her plate after she realizes the hot dogs and hamburgers are gone.

“Still hungry, honey?” Joyce questions seeing the look on her daughter’s face.

Buffy slides her gaze towards Tara, grinning. “Yeah, for some reason my appetite is humongous.”

Sighing at her daughter, Joyce stands and pulls another package of hot dogs out of the refrigerator. “More hot dogs, okay?”

“That’s fine.” Buffy watches as mom throws the hot dogs on the stove to boil. Turning to look at Tara, Buffy grins as she closes the distance between them, placing a gentle kiss on the witch‘s cheek. “You want something else?” Buffy questions as she runs a hand down Tara‘s back.

“No, thank you.” Tara leans against Buffy, closing her eyes groaning quietly as Buffy strokes down her back. “I like that.”

“Maybe if you play your cards right, I’ll give you a back massage tonight.” Buffy smiles as Tara arches into her hand.

“Whatever you want, you got.” Tara tucks her head into Buffy’s neck, running one hand up and down the slayer’s thigh.

“I’m going to go soak in the tub. Don’t get distracted and forget the hot dogs are on the stove.” Joyce looks at Buffy knowingly before heading out of the kitchen.

“Thanks, mom.” Buffy calls after her mom, smiling as she feels Tara place a soft kiss on her neck. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, sweetie.” Tara murmurs before shifting her hand to shift the slayer’s shirt up and stroke over her stomach. “Like skin.” Tara whispers as she flicks her tongue over the slayer’s pulse point, humming in pleasure.

“I need a shower.” Buffy whimpers as her body starts to vibrate, the purrs rumbling through.

“No, you don’t.” Tara shakes her head before shifting her body in closer to Buffy’s, licking more firmly over Buffy’s neck, smiling as she closes in on the sensitive spot that got such a reaction from the slayer earlier.

“Oh, shit!” Buffy cries out softly as Tara starts to lick and nibble her neck. “Tara, honey! Gotta stop, if not…” Buffy groans deeply as Tara sucks the skin in her mouth while flicking her tongue strongly over the sensitive flesh.

Slowing down gradually, Tara finally eases her mouth away from Buffy. Looking up into her lover’s passion filled eyes, Tara grins crookedly. “So that spot could bring you great pleasure without me doing anything else to you?” Tara questions softly.

“I don’t know, but I think we might want to try it sometime.” Buffy looks deeply into Tara’s beautiful blue eyes. Shifting her body so she’s completely facing the witch, Buffy captures her lips in a searing kiss. “But tonight isn’t going to be about me. It’s going to be all about you.” Buffy admits before nibbling on the witch’s earlobe, grinning as she hears the harsh intake of breath.

“I thought I got to spend all night tonight learning your body.” Tara whimpers as Buffy flicks her tongue repeatedly down her neck.

“Hmmm. That was before you spent this afternoon driving me absolutely crazy with your lovings. Tonight is my night, now.” Buffy works her hand under Tara’s shirt, stroking over her lover’s strong back. “And I can’t wait.”

“I think your hot dogs are probably done.” Tara groans as Buffy slowly pulls away. Watching the slayer with hooded eyes, Tara unconsciously licks her lips as she considers the woman. “Then I’ve got tomorrow morning.”

Buffy turns and raises an eyebrow. “We’ll see.”

Tara laughs quietly, before closing her eyes to take a couple deep breaths to calm down. Deciding to clear the dishes, she quickly and efficiently gathers hers and Joyce’s, placing them in the dishwasher. Putting away the items Buffy isn’t going to use, Tara leans against the refrigerator watching as Buffy quickly works her way through four more hot dogs.

“Should we gather up what stuff to take to your dorm room, then wait for mom to come down from her bath?” Buffy questions as she stands, placing her dishes in the dishwasher while Tara finishes putting away the other items.

“I think that’s a plan.” Tara grins. “Then we might have time for kissage.”

“Oh, we always have time for kisses!” Buffy leans in giving Tara a soft kiss. “Always.”

Tara chuckles quietly as she follows Buffy upstairs to gather their stuff together.

*********