What If??

“Ladies, do you think that the Watcher’s Council may decide to watch us?” Tara questions softly as she looks at Buffy and Joyce as they eat dinner before heading back to the dorm.

“In what way are you talking?” Buffy questions, frowning before she reaches and places another piece of roast on Faith’s plate cutting it quickly.

“When we get the apartment, do you think they might have people watch and follow you, Joyce and Mr. Giles? I mean, it might be obvious if they are following that everyone will be going to the apartment in shifts almost, like we’re watching someone.” Tara explains her thinking softly.

“Damn, I didn’t even think of that.” Buffy frowns heavily looking from Tara to her mother, while rubbing a hand over her jaw. “I could always hit the underground access to whatever apartment building Giles gets, so that’ll take care of me. Giles won’t have to visit the apartment that often, hopefully. The only problem would be mom, and maybe you.” Buffy turns her gaze on Tara. “You know that they’ve noticed you coming and going from Faith’s room, if they’re smart, they’ll decide to follow you, also.”

“That didn’t even occur to me.” Tara whispers, frowning.

“Umm, not to sound stupid or nothin’, but can’t you do a charm for you and Mrs. S, like you did for me?” Faith questions as she picks up the necklace, off the table, looking at Tara. “And then maybe stop somewhere within walkin’ distance of the apartment building, like a coffee shop or restaurant and go to the bathroom, put on the necklace and come back out? It’d throw them off, if they’re watchin’ ya’.”

“Great idea, sweetie.” Tara nods her head, smiling at Faith. “I can do that, as a matter of fact I’ll do the glamour now, if you have something you’d like me to place it on, Joyce.” Tara looks at Joyce laughing as Joyce nods her head and quickly stands up to jog out of the room.

“Did you get enough to eat, Faith?” Buffy questions smiling gently at the slayer as she finishes the roast.

“Yeah. Thanks.” Faith shifts embarrassedly. “Is it ‘kay if I take a bath, now?”

“Of course, I just wanted to make sure you had plenty of food in you. Maybe mom’ll have some microwavable stuff we can take to the dorm. Soups and stuff, if you don’t mind eating soup until we get the apartment?” Buffy looks seriously at the slayer. “Unfortunately a small refrigerator and microwave is about all that’s in the dorm room, not able to cook in there.”

“That’s fine. Soup sounds great right now, too.” Faith quirks her lip quickly.

“Buffy, can you help Faith up the stairs to the bathroom?” Tara looks at her lover before gathering the dishes, smiling as Buffy stands, gently wrapping her arms around her waist and placing a soft kiss on her neck.

“I love you.” Buffy whispers, burying her face against Tara’s shoulder. Sighing quietly as Tara sets down the dishes and runs a hand gently over her head.

“I love you, sweetie.” Tara closes her eyes and tilts her head against Buffy. “Get her upstairs and help her out, if she wants it, sweetie.”

“’kay.” Buffy grins placing a quick kiss on Tara’s lips as she releases the witch. Turning her gaze on Faith, Buffy tilts her head. “Want to try and walk up the stairs, or do you think you’re still too weak?”

“Foods made me feel stronger, as has witchy over there feeding me strength.” Faith nods towards Tara, letting the witch know that she realizes she’s been helping her. Faith chuckles as Tara blushes lightly before quickly taking the dishes to the kitchen. “Lend me an arm.” Faith finally states, letting Buffy wrap an arm around her back, helping her to stand as they slowly make their way towards the stairs.

“Be careful.” Joyce admonishes softly as she comes down the stairs, watching the two women. “I did start the water in the tub before I came down.”

“Thanks, mom.” Buffy smiles, before slowly helping Faith up the stairs. “Do you mind my helping you take a bath? If you’d prefer mom or Tara…” Buffy trails off as she helps Faith into the bathroom.

“Nah, though it kinda pisses me off to need the help, it would piss me off even more if I fell and knocked myself out, putting myself back into another coma.” Faith grins crookedly at the blonde slayer. “You would probably be the best one to help me, since you can manhandle me around easier than your mom or Tara. Not that I weigh hardly anything right now.”

“Trust me, that’ll be taken care of quickly. Tara cooks, though she hasn’t fixed a lot, but she has these killer hot wings that she fixes sauce for…” Buffy groans and shivers in remembrance. “I got the supposedly weaker version of the sauce, because she said she has one batch that she cooks that’s even hotter.”

“She likes spicy foods?” Faith’s eyes light up, chuckling as she remembers late nights after the two of them slaying, hitting the restaurants for spicy hot wings.

“Oh, yeah.” Buffy nods her head excitedly. “And the wings she made were hotter than anything we had here, Faith.” Buffy admits, grinning from ear to ear.

“Do ya’ think if I put in a request for hot wings when we get the apartment, she’d make them?” Faith questions hesitantly, her mouth salivating at the thought.

“In a heartbeat.” Buffy nods her head, smiling gently at the slayer. “Let’s get you undressed, Faith and into the bathtub.”

Faith nods, as she slowly takes her top off, while Buffy stands protectively beside her, steadying her when she wavers as she slides her pants down. “Thanks.” Faith whispers as Buffy helps her in the tub, gently lowering her into the blessedly hot water, groaning quietly.

Buffy nods her head as she wait’s a few moments before shutting the water off. “Want me to wash your hair, then you can soak for a while?”

“God, yes.” Faith nods, grinning.

“Anything in particular shampoo wise you want me to use?” Buffy questions as she chuckles at the sight of all the different shampoos her mother had set out on the counter, along with different body washes and conditioners.

Faith laughs quietly with Buffy as she looks at the assortment. “Got anything that won’t clash with each other?”

“Hmmm.” Buffy sifts through the items, coming across vanilla based items. “There’s ones that are Vanilla bean and other vanilla type items here.” Buffy turns to raise a questioning eyebrow at Faith.

“That’d be great.” Faith sighs softly as she slowly slides down in the tub, submersing her head, enjoying being immersed in the hot water before slowly pushing herself back up.

“Is it okay if I come in?” Tara questions from the open doorway, not entering but standing just out of view of Faith.

“Yeah, come on in.” Faith chuckles watching Tara coming in carrying a pitcher.

“I thought it might be easier to rinse Faith’s hair and body with this.” Tara sets the pitcher on the counter, smiling at the dark-haired slayer before turning her gaze back on Buffy.

“Thanks.” Buffy smiles as she runs a finger over Tara’s cheek. “Can you gather up some of my clothes sweat pants and shirts and stuff that’ll fit Faith?”

“She’ll have better luck wearing mine that yours.” Tara jokes, her eyes looking over her petite girlfriend.

“I’m going to stop at the store after taking you three to the dorm and pick up some changes of clothes for Faith. Hope you won’t mind living in sweat pants and t-shirts for a little while, Faith?” Joyce calls from the doorway.

“Hell, it’s an improvement over hospital finery.” Faith shakes her head, closing her eyes as Buffy kneels beside her, starting to work the shampoo into a thick lather over her head.

“What size shoes do you wear?” Tara questions looking at Faith.

“Size 8.” Faith groans as Buffy’s strong fingers continuing working over her head.

Tara chuckles as she walks towards the door. “Keep that up for a little while, sweetie. The extra stimulation will actually help her get her blood flowing and working better through her body.”

Buffy looks back, grinning at her lover. “Are you still feeding her energy and strength, also?”

“Yes. I won’t be able to do it while I’m in classes, but I can feed her at other times.” Tara admits. “I’ll gather some of your clothes and other items to make things more comfortable at the dorm.”

Buffy watches as Tara leaves the bathroom, before turning her gaze back on Faith.

“What the hell is she doing here, B?” Faith questions, her eyes still staring at the doorway before they come back to look at Buffy. “She doesn’t belong on the Hellmouth. She’s an honest to goodness innocent soul.”

“Yes, she is.” Buffy murmurs, working her fingers down the dark-haired slayer’s locks, being sure to wash all of it. “Want me to rinse and do it again?” Buffy indicates Faith’s hair.

“You don’t have to do all this for me.” Faith shakes her head, looking at Buffy.

“Let me, Faith.” Buffy whispers, the pain obvious in her eyes. “It isn’t much, but it makes me feel a little better to help.”

“Okay.” Faith whispers, closing her eyes and tilting her head back, allowing Buffy to pour water through her hair, rinsing the shampoo out. “How long do you think it’ll take G-man to get an apartment? I hate the idea of keeping you and the witch from being together.”

“Don’t worry about it, Faith. We’ll deal. As for Giles, it isn’t like there probably isn’t plenty of apartments open, so he just needs to find one with two bedrooms that’s close to campus. I’m assuming it actually shouldn’t be too hard, with the way things are around here.” Buffy admits quietly as she grabs the shampoo, starting to work Faith’s hair into another heavy lather, smiling at how much more suds are coming up from the clean hair.

“After you finish with my hair, I can try to wash the rest of me.” Faith suggests softly.

“Do you want a razor?” Buffy questions looking over at the sink where her mother had set out a disposable razor along with a new can of shave gel.

“Please. I can braid the hairs under my arms and on my legs.” Faith jokes quietly.

“Very European.” Buffy laughs with the dark-haired slayer.

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

Joyce carries out the sleeping bags and pillows, placing them in the back of the Jeep before heading back into the house. Looking up as Tara comes down the stairs with a bag of clothes. “Do you think she’ll be okay?”

Tara nods her head, smiling softly. “They’re talking and laughing quietly. I know Faith’ll have moments where the worse of what happened will come to the fore, but hopefully between all of us, we can work her through that. The best thing is, is that she’s willing to give everyone a chance. And I attribute that to the fact that you guys visited her and talked with her. Especially Buffy, when she told her how much she wanted her back. I think that was the biggest thing, when Buffy stated she wanted her sister slayer back.” Tara shakes her head, raising her eyes to the ceiling. “I think Faith wants a caring, loving family more than anything else, Joyce.”

Joyce nods her understanding smiling softly as she clasps Tara gently on the shoulder. “Isn’t that what we all want, deep in our hearts, Tara?”

Tara’s eyes turn to look back at Joyce, smiling tremulously. “Yes. Thank you, Joyce.”

“Here, I’ll take this out to the vehicle, I set down two necklaces on the coffee table. You can use one for yourself, if you’d like to make a glamour. Or you can wait until you get to the dorm, if you have something of your own you’d rather use.” Joyce smiles as she turns and walks out of the house.

Tara smiles softly as she watches Joyce leave the house before walking over to the coffee table, glancing at the two necklaces, chuckling at the silver chains with two slightly different crosses on them. Grasping one to place a glamour on for herself, she waits until Joyce comes back in.

Joyce shuts the door behind her while looking at Tara. “Was there something else you needed?”

“Just wondering what you’d like to look like?” Tara grins crookedly at her lover’s mom.

“Hmmm. The more diverse, or different would be better, right?” Joyce questions, raising an eyebrow at Tara. Smiling as Tara nods her head, grinning. “Can you make me look male?”

Tara laughs at Joyce, nodding her head. “Anything you want to look like.”

“Hmmm. How about 6’2”, black hair with just a distinguishing touch of gray on the sides, blue eyes, lightly muscular?” Joyce raises an eyebrow in silent question.

“Done.” Tara chuckles as she laughs quietly with Joyce. “Of course, I can’t really do anything about your voice, so you’ll have to try deepening it yourself. I’d need a few ingredients to make your voice come out different.”

Joyce coughs a couple times, before hoarsely speaking in a deeper tone. “How’s this sound, young lady?”

Tara laughs even harder, shaking her head. “Don’t talk, just make miming motions with your hands.”

“Damn, I thought I sounded believable.” Joyce jokes as she sits down watching Tara as the witch holds the necklace in her hands, her lips moving silently. Joyce tilts her head as she sees a slight shimmer coalesce around the necklace before disappearing.

“Here you are.” Tara grins crookedly, handing the necklace to Joyce. “Try it out?” Tara wiggles her eyebrows and looks towards the ceiling. “Just be prepared to pull it off at a seconds notice!!”

“Gotcha.” Joyce smirks wickedly as she puts the necklace over her head before trotting up the stairs to Tara’s laughter.

“What the fuck?” Faith growls as she looks up to the doorway, her eyes growing big at the tall, lightly muscular older gentleman standing there. “If he has an English accent, I am so fucked.”

“Sorry, no English accents here.” Joyce smirks looking at the two stunned slayers.

“Mom?” Buffy whimpers, shaking her head. “Tara did NOT make you a man!”

“I asked her to.” Joyce laughs as she pulls the necklace off, looking at the two women. “So, was I hot?”

“Yeah, for an old man!” Faith growls, before chuckling. “Your mom needs help, B.”

“She makes me wonder about her more and more.” Buffy admits as she leans back in the chair.

“You two about done?” Joyce looks from her daughter to Faith and back.

“Yeah, I just finished shaving and was going to wash my body down again before getting out.” Faith admits as she leans forward to let some of the water out, adding more hot water.

“Take your time. Tara’s dorm only has showers, and we don’t know how long it’ll take for Rupert to find an apartment for you ladies.” Joyce waves as she walks out of the room.

“B?” Faith questions hesitantly, looking towards Buffy as Buffy turns her head to look at her. “Don’t let me fuck this up, this time.” Faith states seriously, tears coming to the surface. “I want this too much.”

Buffy quickly kneels beside the slayer, wrapping her arms around the sobbing woman, tears falling from her own eyes. “WE won’t fuck it up this time, Faith. It was all of us, not just you. We‘ll get it right this time, I promise.”

Faith nods as she cautiously wraps her arms around Buffy’s back, hugging her back for a few moments. “Thanks, B. Now get off me, before your girl comes in and kicks our asses.”

“She won’t kick our asses for this. If we were fighting, that would be a different story.” Buffy grins at Faith as she pulls back. “She just wants everyone to be happy, and to help out as much as possible.”

“And she wants to make sure everyone’s taken care of and that things turn out for the best.” Tara whispers from the doorway, smiling at the two women, chuckling as Buffy hops up practically jumping the distance between them to wrap her up in a tight hug.

“I love you.” Buffy murmurs, burying her face in Tara’s neck, placing a soft kiss on her mark.

“Your mom pulled out what canned food and other things she has, and can use your help carrying them out to the Jeep, sweetie. I can help Faith finish up here, if she wants.” Tara looks questioningly at Faith over Buffy’s shoulder, smiling as the dark-haired slayer nods her head.

“Got it.” Buffy murmurs pulling back to capture Tara’s lips, in what starts as a gentle press before quickly deepening into a loving, more tantalizing kiss.

“Hmmm.” Tara hums as Buffy finally pulls away and smirks at her before walking out of the bathroom. “Tease.” Tara mutters, smiling as Buffy laughs as she heads down the stairs. “Do you need any additional help, or just a steadying hand when you get up?” Tara questions softly, searching the dark brown eyes.

“Steadying hand.” Faith smiles at the blonde witch, feeling surprisingly comfortable with the woman. Watching as Tara sits down with her back against the wall, stretching her legs out in front of her and getting comfortable.

“How are you feeling?” Tara questions, closing her eyes and tilting her head back against the wall, giving the woman some privacy.

“Quite a bit better.” Faith watches the blonde curiously. “What’s the deal with you and B?” Faith questions as she slowly washes her body again.

“We’re two parts of a whole, more or less.” Tara grins crookedly as she thinks. “We’re mates, partners, soul mates, I guess you could say. Both she and the slayer half of her fell in love with me.” Tara shrugs as she nibbles on her lip.

“And you love her, both halves?” Faith questions, surprise coloring her voice.

“Yes and no.” Tara chuckles as she opens her eyes to look at Faith, seeing the confusion in the brown depths. “I love Buffy, the vampire slayer, Faith. They’re not separate now, Buffy and her slayer half have become one.”

“And the Council ain’t got a fuckin’ clue. That’s what she was talkin’ about when she was talking to G-man on the phone.” Faith blinks in surprise as she looks at Tara. “How different is she?”

“Of course you know how it works, where you access the slayer’s abilities and memories as needed?” Tara questions softly, seeing Faith nod her understanding. “Imagine those abilities and memories all being a part of you 24/7.” Tara watches as Faith’s eyes open wide in surprise. “The kicker to that?” Tara whispers, looking seriously at the dark-haired slayer. “She’s faster and stronger than she was before. A LOT faster and stronger.” Tara admits.

“So, she could literally kick my ass without even thinkin’ if she wanted to?” Faith hoarsely questions, her eyes boring into Tara’s, demanding the truth.

“In a heartbeat.” Tara admits quietly. “But she won’t, Faith. She wants you here, she wants you well and she wants her sister back with her.”

“I don’t understand why.” Faith looks up, the pain obvious in her eyes, along with the confusion and hurt. “With everything I done, why would she want me to be around?”

“Because she loves you, Faith. She really, truly thinks of you as a sister. She wants you to get well so she can talk and slay with you. You’re the only person that understands what it’s really like to be a slayer, and a part of her died that day she stabbed you. She wants a chance to make amends to you, give you what she should have given you to begin with. A real chance at friendship.” Tara shrugs her shoulder, as she watches the silent tears sliding down Faith’s face. “Probably pretty much the same thing you want, Faith. A friend and family is what it boils down to.” Tara whispers softly.

“What about you? What’s in it for you?” Faith questions softly, pulling her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them tightly.

“Pretty much the same thing. Hopefully a friend, and someone that I can consider a family member that will actually care for me without abusing me.” Tara whispers as she looks down at the floor, picking at her skirt.

“I’ll probably fuck up.” Faith finally admits, watching as Tara lifts her head slowly and a grin crosses her face.

Tara chuckles at Faith. “I’m sure you won’t be the only one, Faith. I’ve already pushed the envelope a couple times with Buffy, as I’m sure I’ll probably do with you, also.”

“So fucking up is allowed, huh?” Faith laughs quietly, starting to relax again as Tara nods her head.

“Allowed and expected. You can’t care about people without occasionally stepping on each others feelings, or doing something stupid.” Tara grins crookedly. “And I have found out that I can get in serious trouble quickly with Buffy, when I conveniently forget to give her all the information in something that I’m going to do.”

Faith raises an eyebrow in silent question.

“Visiting you. Coming inside your head, I kind of glossed over the fact that if you took it upon yourself, you could have actually harmed me or kept me from coming back to myself if you had wanted to.” Tara admits softly seeing the shock and surprise coming across the dark-haired slayer’s face.

“But you did it anyway. Did Buffy find out after you did it?” Faith hoarsely questions, her mind trying to figure out why the woman would take such a chance.

“Before. It actually came out the night before I did it, we had a small blow-up and went outside to argue about it while Xander and Joyce stayed in the living room out of our way.” Tara admits softly.

“You’re fucked up.” Faith shakes her head not believing the blonde would risk herself for someone she didn’t even know. Sighing quietly Faith leans forward to let the water out of the tub.

Tara stands quickly, grabbing a towel on her way towards Faith. “Want me to actually wrap my arms around you to help you stand up, or do you want to try by yourself? Honestly, I’d prefer helping you, tubs are slippery, and I would really rather you didn’t slip and fall.” Tara softly suggests.

“Talked me into it.” Faith sighs holding her shaky arms up, wrapping them around Tara’s neck as the blonde helps her to stand and keeps her steady as she steps out of the tub.

“Get you dried off and dressed, then we’ll head to the dorm.” Tara grins crookedly at the slayer. “It’ll be rough going, Faith. But just try to open yourself and be willing to talk and listen. That’ll help a lot in the long run.”

“You gonna play peacemaker?” Faith questions, laughing lightly as she dries herself off and slowly gets dressed.

“Peacemaker, and possibly, occasionally referee, and may even thump people on their heads if they need it. Once in a while I’ll probably be right in the middle of it, adding to the problems.” Tara grins as Faith laughs a little more freely at her comments.

“This is gonna be different.” Faith shakes her head, a softer, gentler smile crossing her face as she considers Tara. “I think… No, I know I owe you my life. Thank you, Tare.” Faith whispers, gently grasping the witch on the shoulder, squeezing softly. Surprised when Tara quickly grabs her and hugs her gently.

“You’ll have to get used to me. I’m kind of a touchy-feely type person.” Tara whispers, squeezing Faith gently before releasing her. “Let’s find out what my better half is up to, if she’s left alone for too long she causes all kinds of problems.”

Faith laughs, shaking her head.

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