What If??

“I’ve been working in the coal mines, all the live long daaaayyyy.” Faith sings raucously, grinning as Tara throws her hammer at her. Catching it, Faith waves it at the woman. “Throwing things around can be dangerous to my health!” Faith growls menacingly at the Wicca.

“Oh, get a grip.” Tara mumbles as she finishes framing another painting. “Damn slayer reflexes isn’t going to let that get anywhere near you!”

“Hey! Why didn’t your guard stop it?” Faith questions curiously, just realizing that the hammer had made it within the area from where anything that would harm her normally wouldn’t make it.

“Because I put it on you. Anything I send towards you, won’t be affected by the guard.” Tara explains, looking up and grinning wickedly. “You need to remember that!” Tara snorts at the look of surprise and wariness that crosses Faith’s face.

“You’re an evil Wicca.” Faith growls, her eyes narrowing on the woman. “I’m going to tell Buffy on you!”

Tara laughs and shakes her head. “Like she would believe you. She thinks I’m all sweet and innocent.”

Faith grins wickedly as she hears Buffy coming in the house, knowing the slayer with her extremely amped abilities could hear everything they were saying. “So, you’re not all sweet and innocent, huh?”

“No, I’m very, very wicked.” Tara reaches over and pinches Faith on the cheek and wiggles it. “And I know she’s here, so stop trying to get me in trouble!”

“Damn!” Faith grumbles and rubs her face from where Tara had pinched it. “You ain’t no fun at all.”

“Yeah, she is.” Buffy laughs as she hops down the stairs, landing at the bottom to look at Tara and Faith. “What were you doing to Faith?”

“She threw a hammer at me!” Faith waves the hammer around. “Damn thing would have hit me if I hadn’t caught it!”

“Ooops. We never told her about the fact you could sneak things past the shield, huh?” Buffy grins and wraps her arms around Tara’s waist, kissing her firmly. “She’s cool, babe.” Buffy whispers and rubs her nose against Tara’s, having seen the slight worry in her lover’s eyes. Smiling as Tara relaxes in her arms. “Come on up and meet her. You coming, Faith?”

Faith looks up and slowly nods her head. “I guess. How did she seem?” Faith questions, her own worry showing in her words.

“You two will need to talk and hash out things, pretty much like we all did, but I’m sure giving time that everything will be okay.” Buffy explains quietly as the three women walk up the stairs.

Faith inhales and slowly nods her head. “’Kay. More than I ever expected, anyways.”

“It’s okay, sweetie.” Tara murmurs, reaching back to squeeze Faith’s hand gently.

Faith grins quickly at the blonde as they head towards the living room where they hear Xander and Willow talking excitedly.

**********

Tara hesitantly follows Buffy, smiling as Buffy starts to send naughty thoughts towards her. Smacking her lover lightly on the ass, Tara mumbles softly. “Behave.”

Buffy looks over her shoulder and wiggles her eyebrows, before seeing Faith rolling her eyes behind Tara.

Faith rolls her eyes and shakes her head at the two women, having finally, sort of, gotten used to their half conversations. It never failed that they would start or finish a conversation in their heads, which at times was a good thing, but most often as not, it was irritating as hell. Slowly walking into the living room, Faith eases over to the mantle, leaning against it as Buffy introduces Tara to Willow.

“Tara, love. I would like you to meet my best friend, girl-type friend…” Buffy narrows her gaze on Xander as she saw him about ready to say something when she said best friend. “Willow. Willow, this is Tara.” Buffy smiles almost shyly as she wraps her arm firmly around Tara, easing her closer to Willow who’s standing now, holding her hand out towards Tara.

Tara blushes and smiles shyly as she reaches out to shake hands with the pretty redhead. “H-hello.” Tara murmurs softly, before rolling her eyes as Buffy grumbles in her head. “Yes, Sarim. I know, but it’s still nerve racking.”

Willow looks confusedly at the blonde, her eyes turning to a darkly blushing Buffy. “Am I missing something again?”

Buffy nods her head quickly. “I’m Sarim.” Buffy grins, before grunting and rubbing her stomach as Tara smacks her. “Not nice.” Buffy pouts, her eyes sparkling as she looks at her lover. “I’ll expect you to make it up to me later.”

“Dear, Lord. Here we go again.” Giles mutters as he strides out of the living room to make some tea, while being followed by a laughing Joyce.

“Are they trying to tell us something?” Buffy blinks and looks innocently at Tara.

Tara shakes her head and rolls her eyes at Buffy. “As if you didn’t know.” Turning back to Willow, Tara smiles apologetically. “I’m sorry. There’s obviously a lot we need to explain to you. Would you rather have the discussion now, or relax? You can get settled upstairs, maybe take a shower if you wish?” Tara offers softly, smiling as Willow relaxes and laughs.

“I’ll take up your stuff, Red.” Faith offers quietly, leaning down to gently pick up the small piece of luggage and the backpack, that knowing the redhead, holds her laptop. Quickly striding up the stairs, leaving a surprised Willow watching Faith.

“She’s different than she was before, Wills. She still gets a little testy and she still likes to make her innuendo’s, smart-assed comments and other things, but she’s not as angry as she was.” Xander tries to explain to Willow, seeing the look on his best friends face. “Nobody expects you to be best buds, but maybe you can give her a chance to at least talk about things…” Xander suggests softly, trailing off.

Willow turns her gaze to Xander, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. Smiling quickly, Willow reaches up and hugs him tightly. “I’ve missed you, Xan!”

Xander grins hugely and wraps her up in his arms, hugging her back. “I’ve missed you, too, Lil Willow Tree.” Xander sighs happily.

Buffy shifts behind Tara and wraps her arms around her waist, hooking her chin over her shoulder. “So, what’s it going to be, Wills? Talk, freshen up, grab something to eat, or something else first?”

Willow smacks Xander on the shoulder as he lifts her up and swings her around. “Put me down!”

“Nope. Not gonna. Don’t hafta.” Xander chuckles, then groans as he feels himself leaving the ground. “STOP IT, YOU TWO!”

Buffy and Tara looks at each other, smirking before letting him back down on the ground. “Just thought you’d like to know what it feels like.” Buffy shrugs, grinning.

Willow turns to look at Buffy and Tara after Xander releases her. “Can we maybe discuss whatever’s going on with you two? Then I’ll unpack and maybe freshen up.”

“Whatever you want. Would you rather tell everyone your news first, or wait?” Buffy questions softly hugging Tara gently, her fingers stroking softly over her lover’s stomach, smiling as Tara’s hands rub back and forth over her forearms.

Willow sighs softly and looks at Xander. “Well, how long of a discussion is this going to be?”

Tara chuckles softly when she hears Buffy groan deeply and drop her head onto her shoulder. “It could be a very short discussion. If you didn’t explain everything, sweetie.”

“Yeah, but she’ll ask for explanations and details.” Buffy whimpers behind her. “Go ahead and give her the short breakdown. See what happens.”

Tara raises an eyebrow as she considers her lover, looking at Xander who’s grinning and turns her gaze towards the stairs, watching as Faith plops down on the steps with a raised eyebrow.

Willow looks at all of them. “Okay, shoot. Try the short version.”

“Buffy and I are reincarnations of a previous slayer and witch, respectively. The Watcher’s Council at that time tried to kill Sarim, but I protected her. I didn’t think they would come after me, even when Sarim begged me to protect myself.” Tara shivers uncontrollably.

Buffy hugs Tara tightly, taking over for her lover. “They killed Kalina. No, not killed… tortured and finally killed her. I went insane and declared war on the Council, until they were able to finally kill me.”

Willow falls hard onto the couch staring at the two women.

“Needless to say, we know everything that happened in that previous life. We also know that the Council had been trying to make sure that it never happened again. They failed. Needless to say, Tara talked with Faith a few times, then Faith woke up from the coma. We snuck her out of the hospital and took out the men the Council had sent to take care of us. They won’t be bothering us anymore, and as of four days ago, Faith is a free woman. No murder wrap hanging over her head.” Buffy looks over at Faith, smiling at the embarrassed slayer.

“Still got a lot of shit to make up for.” Faith admits softly. “Just hope I get the chance to make a difference.”

Tara smiles as Buffy releases her and walks over to Faith.

“Faith, you do make a difference. Every night you go out there and help protect humankind from the vampires and demons that roam the earth. We’ll do the best that we can. That’s all we can do, okay?” Buffy looks intently at Faith, smiling as the other slayer slowly relaxes and nods her head.

“Thanks, B.” Faith whispers, her eyes serious.

“Welcome.” Buffy pats Faith knee gently. “We need to go out tonight, I’ve been feeling some serious movement down there at the Initiatives place. I want to see if we can find out how to get in there and get a lay of the land, as it were.” Buffy admits, frowning heavily.

“Initiative?” Willow questions, looking at the rest of the group.

Tara sighs softly as she sits down in the chair. “As far as we can tell, it’s a military group that’s underground on the campus. They’ve been capturing demons and experimenting on them.” Tara smiles and grasps Buffy’s hand as she comes to stand by the chair. Tugging her around, she wraps her arms around Buffy’s waist as Buffy settles gently on her lap.

Willow raises an eyebrow and starts to grin. “Do you need my hacking skills?”

Buffy’s eyes light up and she starts to grin. “Do we ever! Think you can do it?”

“Won’t know until I try.” Willow shrugs her shoulders, her eyes twinkling merrily. “If someone can give me all the information you have, I’ll do a search then go from there afterwards.”

Faith raises her hand. “I can get with Red on what we know.” Faith turns her gaze on Willow and shrugs. “It ain’t a lot, but maybe it’ll give you a clue as where to look.”

Willow nods her head in agreement. “That’ll work. What are the plans for the rest of the day?”

“FOOD!” Buffy yells, smirking as Tara pinches her side. “Do it again, I like that shit.”

“Glutton.” Tara nips playfully at Buffy’s neck. “I want you two to be careful. Don’t try to sneak in, or anything. Just scope it out, okay?”

“Party pooper.” Buffy grumbles, before slowly nodding her head. “We’ll be careful. You’ll kick our asses if we aren’t. Plus we’re still protected.”

“Yes, you are. But there’s no sense in taking any chances.” Tara reaches up to tug firmly on a lock of hair. “Or you’ll be hurting for more than one reason.” Tara threatens softly.

Buffy whimpers quietly and nods her head. “Hearing you loud and clear.”

“Thought you would.” Tara chuckles. “So, is Joyce and Mr. Giles in the kitchen getting all hot and heavy?” Tara gets a dig in at her lover.

“I’ve been doing my damnedest to ignore what’s going on in the kitchen, I don’t need you making me focus in on it!” Buffy growls turning around and straddling Tara’s legs. “Not nice!” Buffy captures Tara’s face in between her two hands. “Gonna have to take my mind off it, now!”

Willow blinks in surprise as she watches Buffy practically attack Tara’s lips. Her eyes wide she looks at Xander who’s smirking at the two women and Faith who’s rolling her eyes and leaning back on the stairs. “Do they do this often?”

Faith chuckles wickedly. “I’m surprised they lasted this long. Those two are horn dogs. Worse than I ever thought of being!” Faith grunts as Buffy nails her with a small pillow in the face, without even looking her way. “Ain’t fuckin’ fair! Just tellin’ the truth!” Faith tosses the pillow back, shaking her head as Buffy catches it, not breaking the kiss.

“Breathe!” Xander chuckles wickedly. “Breathing is good!”

Buffy growls as she finally breaks away from Tara, smirking as she looks down into the Wicca’s dark eyes. “Love you.” Buffy murmurs quietly.

“I love you, too.” Tara smiles up into Buffy’s glowing eyes. Reaching up and running a hand softly down her cheek. “Company, sweetie.”

“I know.” Buffy nods, sighing quietly as she shifts back around easing down on Tara‘s lap again.

“Did you children decide on a plan of action yet?” Giles comes in, his hair slightly mussed.

Xander chuckles and flops back against the couch, laughing harder as he hears the loud whimper coming from Buffy.

“Why me?” Buffy questions rhetorically, dropping her head into her hands after turning to look at Giles. “Wills is going to do her computer magic, while Faith and I go scout out the area.”

“Joyce has two large roasts in the oven for dinner tonight, along with all kinds of vegetables, bread and the works.” Giles offers.

“Is that what took you two over an hour to do?” Buffy questions, her eyebrows raised as she shifts back around looking at her watcher.

“Rotten.” Tara growls quietly, smacking Buffy on the shoulder.

Giles blushes and looks down as he feels Joyce walk up behind him.

Joyce narrows her gaze on her daughter. “Stop picking on him. He still isn’t used to it and thinks you’re serious.” Joyce rubs her hand over Giles’ back and smiles as she feels him relax.

Buffy pouts and turns back around, grumbling loudly. “Can’t have no fun. Try to get in some quality teasing, and can’t. Always interrupting it, or keeping me from it.”

“Are you still talking about picking there at the end of that, sweetie?” Tara laughingly asks her lover.

“Maybe.” Buffy shifts to sit sideways in Tara’s lap, pouting adorably. Sticking her bottom lip out as far as she can and wiggling it at Tara.

“Definitely rotten.” Tara grins crookedly at Buffy.

Willow watches her best friend and girlfriend, surprised at the way everyone reacted about their relationship. And the way they acted towards each other, completely at ease with each other. Watching as Tara reaches out and nips Buffy’s bottom lip, Willow feels a pang of longing. “Joyce, can I use your phone?”

“Why certainly, my dear. You don’t have to ask!” Joyce smiles at Willow as the young woman practically runs by her into the kitchen. “I wonder what that’s all about?”

Buffy groans quietly as Tara finishes nibbling across her bottom lip. “Ummm. Think she’s having serious withdrawals.” Buffy admits quietly. “I think we’re making it worse.” Buffy admits, smiling sadly at Tara.

“Maybe we should chill a bit?” Tara suggests, seeing the silent agreement in Buffy’s eyes. “We’ll just sneak upstairs later.” Tara wiggles her eyebrows as she leans forward and kisses Buffy softly.

“Better believe it.” Buffy nods in agreement, before shifting down a little more comfortably against Tara, swinging her legs over the arm of the chair and burying her face in Tara’s neck, her hand playing with her lover’s top. “Are we going to open presents tonight, or actually wait for tomorrow?” Buffy finally questions the room at large.

“You know the drill, honey!” Joyce shakes her head as Buffy whimpers and pouts. “One gift tonight, the rest tomorrow. We have Charlie Brown Christmas loaded in the DVD player, along with a stack of other Christmas Movies and cartoons to watch!”

Tara chuckles quietly as Xander jumps up to grab the remote control. “Excited, Xander?”

“Wait until you see him doing the Snoopy dance.” Buffy snuggles more firmly against Tara, placing a firm kiss against her neck, growling quietly at the fading mark. “Have to work on that later.” Buffy flicks out her tongue across the mark, smiling as she hears the low groan and the instant smell of arousal coming from her lover.

“Brat.” Tara digs her fingers firmly into Buffy’s side, knowing what her lover is up to. “Behave, or you won’t get your Christmas present.”

Buffy whimpers quietly and relaxes against Tara. “I’ll behave. What did you get me?”

Tara laughs quietly and shakes her head. “You have to behave to get it.”

“Not nice.” Buffy grumbles.

“I’m very nice. Or do you want to argue that point?” Tara whispers softly, more breathing the words in her lover’s ear, smirking as Buffy shivers in reaction.

“No, no. You’re extremely nice, beautiful, sweet, kind and all kinds of other wonderful things.” Buffy exhales quickly as she feels Tara capture her earlobe between her teeth, nibbling.

“You’ll see it later, sweetie.” Tara murmurs softly as she releases the ear, her eyes shifting as Willow comes back into the living room, smiling and blushing lightly.

“Sorry.” Willow shifts embarrassed for a moment, before sighing quietly when she looks at Buffy who just has her eyebrow raised at her. “Okay. Just to let everyone know, I’ve been in a relationship, not long after the beginning of the school year.”

Xander blinks and looks at Willow. “Who’s the lucky guy?” When Willow blushes even darker, and he hears the snort come from Buffy, he closes his eyes and whimpers loudly. “Okay, it’s official. I’m just so much dead meat. Who’s the lucky girl?” Xander changes his word, slowly opening his eyes to look at Willow, smiling softly at his friend.

Willow shifts from one foot to the other, seeing the curiosity, but not seeing any censure from the people she considers her family. “Amy Madison.” Willow admits quietly.

Tara looks questioning at a hugely grinning Buffy.

“Wait… I’m assuming she isn’t a rat anymore, right?” Xander blinks and raises a hand to try and ward off Willow’s smack, grunting when she whacks him upside the head instead.

“That’s just plain gross, Xander!!” Willow starts poking him in his ticklish ribs, smirking the whole time. “No, she isn’t a rat. I was able to change her back!”

“UNCLE!” Xander finally yells after he fell to the floor, trying to crawl away from Willow while she continued to poke and tickle him.

“Xan, you starting to feel like you’re in the minority around here? I sure as hell am feeling left out.” Faith grumbles loudly, smirking as she leans back on the steps, crossing her legs as she finally says something, after having watched the group, enjoying the interaction and camaraderie.

“If that’s an offer Faith, I’m there. But I thought you didn’t ever hit anything twice!” Xander jokes, smirking at the slayer, grunting as Willow smacks him on the stomach.

“That’s not nice!” Willow admonishes him seriously.

“Nah, he’s cool, Red. He was just jokin’.” Faith shrugs, laughing quietly. “We got our problems ironed out not long after I came outta the coma.”

Willow looks at Faith, slowly nodding her head in acknowledgement. “Maybe we can get a chance to talk before I leave back to New York.”

“I’d like that.” Faith admits softly, slowly standing and walking into the kitchen. “I’m gonna get a soda. Anybody else want one?”

Tara urges Buffy off her lap, as pretty much everyone wanted drinks as they started to settle down to watch movies. “I’m going to help her get the drinks, sweetie.”

“I love you.” Buffy brushes her thumb over Tara’s neck, smiling as Tara kisses her quickly before striding towards the kitchen. “Are you two planning on watching from down there?” Buffy questions, smiling as Willow and Xander jostle each other on the floor.

“Yep.” Xander smirks over his shoulder looking at Buffy.

“Honey, go get them pillows and a couple blankets to be more comfortable.” Joyce orders softly.

“Yes, mom.” Buffy hops up and runs up the stairs.

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

“Are you okay?” Tara questions softly as she helps the slayer fill the glasses with ice and soda.

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?” Faith looks up surprised at the witch.

“You seemed to be pulling away.” Tara explains, stopping to look at Faith. “You’re part of this family, Faith. Please don’t distance yourself.” Tara reaches out and clasps her forearm gently.

Faith drops her head, sighing quietly. “Why do ya’ always gotta do that?”

“Sorry.” Tara pulls her hand away as she pours more soda in the glasses.

“Nah. I didn’t mean it like that.” Faith shakes her head. “You just always see inside me and don’t let me even start to pull away.”

“You don’t need to, Faith. We love you and consider you family. It’s not just you anymore, you have all of us to talk to and be friends with. If you have any worries or problems, Faith, please talk with one of us.” Tara sets down the soda can, looking at Faith.

“It’s just that sometimes it’s hard.” Faith admits quietly. “I’ve been on my own and doing things myself for so long, that occasionally I find myself pulling back.”

“I know, Faith. I know.” Tara sighs softly as Faith’s shoulder droop some. Walking around the island, Tara hesitantly places an arm around the slayer’s shoulders, knowing that sometimes the slayer still gets a little off centered with the physical touches. When Faith just eases against her, tilting her head against her head, Tara hugs her with her one arm. “It isn’t going to be an easy process, sweetie. And it isn’t going to happen overnight. Just remember you have us to talk to, okay?”

“’Kay.” Faith takes a deep breath, allowing some of the unconscious tension that she’d had building up, release. “Sorry for upsetting ya’.” Faith whispers quietly.

“You didn’t upset me, Faith. I’m just worried about you.” Tara reaches up and rubs her hand gently over the slayer’s head. “Come on, lets get these drinks out there. Do you think they’ll want some popcorn to go along with it?”

“Of course.” Faith chuckles. “That was kinda a stupid question.”

“Yeah, it was, wasn’t it?” Tara laughs and winks at Faith as she digs in the cabinet to pull out a couple bags of popcorn, throwing one in the microwave.

Faith smirks and shakes her head. “Thanks, Tare.” Faith smiles genuinely at the Wicca before heading out of the kitchen with a couple glasses in her hands.

“You’re welcome, Faith.” Tara answers the slayer softly, knowing she would hear her response.

Buffy eases into the kitchen after Faith leaves, smiling as Tara pulls out the bag of popcorn, placing another one in. “Things okay?”

“I think so.” Tara smiles softly at her lover. “I think she may just be a little more worried, and thinking about past deeds with Willow being here.” Tara explains quietly.

“Probably.” Buffy agrees, before wrapping Tara up in her arms. “She’s hashed out everything with all of us, so she feels like she’s on a more even footing with us. But she hasn’t had a chance to talk to Willow yet.”

“Maybe the sooner those two talk, the better off they’ll be?” Tara suggests quietly before placing a soft kiss on Buffy’s forehead.

“I’ll go talk with Willow, see if I can’t get her and Faith together to talk here soon.” Buffy growls playfully while stroking her hands up and down Tara’s back. “Let me get the rest of the drinks out there.”

“And I’ll finish with the popcorn.” Tara smirks and smacks Buffy on the ass as her lover turns to grab the glasses.

“Keep that up and we’ll be going upstairs instead of spending time down here with the family.” Buffy wiggles her eyebrows at Tara as she starts to head towards the living room.

“Save that for later, sweetie.” Tara laughs quietly as she hears Buffy whimper loudly.