A Witch In LA

Chapter 4


Faith growls under her breath as she watches Gunn sitting down by Tara. The last couple weeks, Faith realizes that she’s been feeling more and more protective over the woman. And for some reason, Gunn seems to piss her off, as he seems to be around her whenever possible. Faith doesn’t even realize that she’s doing the same thing. The two women had kind of gotten into a groove, Faith helping Tara out in the kitchen with cooking and setting the table while the rest of the gang took turns cleaning up afterwards.

Tara helps out in the office and with anything they need help with in the magic department, occasionally going out on patrols and helping with the cases and research whenever possible.

Faith watches as Gunn casually drapes his arm around the back of the couch behind Tara. Watching Tara smile slightly at something the man said, makes Faith bounce on her heels before turning around and striding down to the basement and the work out room Fang has set up. Stripping off her top and wearing just a tank top and jeans, Faith starts hitting and kicking the weight bag, thinking about the witch, while sweat starts pouring off her, not realizing she’s been working out for an hour straight.

********

Angel smirks as he watches Gunn sit down by Tara, wondering if the guy was ever going to get a clue that the witch wasn’t interested in him. Every time Gunn tries to maneuver things so that Tara and him were alone, Faith usually popped up. Thinking about it, Angel looks around and sure enough across the room, Faith is standing, silently watching the two. Angel shakes his head at the slayer. Having spent the two hundred plus years watching humans, Angel knows Faith cares for the witch, but for some reason hasn’t acted on her feelings. Watching Faith take off, he quietly follows her and watches while she destroys the heavy weight bag, that he had specially reinforced.

“Faith, feel like talking?” Angel finally decides to say something.

“What’cha want?” Faith does a quick spinning kick, splitting the bag open. “Fuck!” She growls before bending over with her hands on her knees, panting heavily.

“Why don’t you take tonight off. Maybe take the convertible and see if anyone wants to go to dinner and a movie with you.” Angel suggests as he throws her the keys to his car.

“What?” Faith looks at the keys she caught on automatic before looking up at the vampire.

“Ask Tara out to dinner and a movie. The group can eat take out.” Angel calmly suggests before turning and heading back upstairs.

Faith slowly walks over to a chair and sits down looking at the stairs where Angel had disappeared. Looking back down at the keys in her hand she thinks about what Angel said. “Ask her out on a date?” Faith whispers quietly to the empty room. “Oh, fuck.” Faith closes her eyes, finally realizing she was jealous of Gunn because she likes Tara.
Faith thinks for a moment more and realizes she more than likes the woman.

Contemplating this new revelation, Faith groans quietly. Is the witch even interested in her? Faith wonders looking down at the keys before taking a deep fortifying breath and standing. “No time like the present to find out.” Faith growls before quickly running up the stairs.

***********

Tara smiles at Gunn as he tells her about his first meeting with Angel. Glancing up she sees Faith watching them from across the room before she spins around on her heels and heads out of the lobby. Tara frowns slightly at the maneuver, wondering what caused it. Seeing Angel silently walk after the slayer, Tara decides he’ll probably take care of it.

“So, Tara. I was wondering.” Gunn starts quietly smiling at the witch. “Would you maybe like to go out this Saturday?”

Tara blinks in surprise at Gunn. “Ummm. Charles, I like you. You’re a really good guy and sweet.” Tara finally realizes that all this time Gunn had been flirting with her and she hadn’t even realized. Blushing slightly at her own denseness she smiles softly. “Charles I like you as a friend. Unfortunately, you aren’t quite what I look for in a date.” Tara tries to say diplomatically.

Gunn sits there looking stunned at the witch, not believing that because he was black she wasn’t interested in dating him. “You didn’t come across as having a problem with dating a black man.”

Tara’s eyes open wide in realization of what he thinks. “Oh, Charles!! I didn’t mean it that way. I thought you knew. But then why would you know? I haven‘t exactly went around telling anyone.” When Gunn looks at her with a confused, hurt look, she sighs quietly. “I‘m sorry Charles, I should just say it. I’m gay. If I wasn’t, trust me I would love to go out on a date with you.”

Gunn’s eyes open wide in shock. Then blushes, thankful that because of his skin tone, it isn’t noticeable. “I’m so sorry, Tara. I didn’t realize.”

“Charles, it’s not your fault. I’m just used to everyone knowing.” Tara shrugs smiling crookedly at him. “Everyone that knew me in Sunnydale knows I’m gay and I honestly didn’t even think about it when I came here.”

“I feel like an idiot.” Gunn starts smiling slightly. “My thinking you weren’t interested in me because I’m black and it’s because I’m male. I don’t know which is worse.” He jokes before laughing.

Laughing with him, Tara shakes her head. “I do like you as a friend Charles. And if you ever want to go out as friends, I’d feel privileged.”

Gunn nods his head. “I guess friends it is.” Standing up he smiles down at the witch. “I better get to sharpening the axes and knives. It’s that time of the month again.”

Tara smiles as she watches Gunn go to the weapons cabinet and start grabbing out the more used items. Shaking her head and chuckling to herself, she stands looking around the hotel, trying to decide what to do. Heading into the office and grabbing down one of the Magic books, she slowly walks upstairs to her room. Leaving the door open, she moves to one of the chairs she placed by the window, setting the book down on the side table, she opens the window for a breath of fresh air before sitting down to read up on different spells.

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

Faith stops outside Tara’s room, looking in the open door. Quietly watching as the woman pushes a stray hair behind her ear before turning the page of the book she’s reading.

Taking a deep breath, she knocks lightly on the door and watches as Tara turns to look. Seeing the smile cross the witch's face, Faith feels her heart skip a beat. ‘Oh, yeah. I got it bad. How the fuck didn’t I notice?’ Faith thinks to herself.

Tara turns at the light knock and smiles as she sees Faith standing in the doorway. “Faith, you don’t have to knock. Come on in.” Tara watches as Faith smiles almost shyly. Tilting her head she watches her walk slowly in the room.

Tara sets the book down on the table and pulls her legs up to tuck under her while she watches Faith walk towards her.

“Umm.” Faith shifts from one foot to another, wondering how to ask Tara out. Looking down at her hands she growls lowly.

“Is there something wrong?” Tara questions watching the completely out of character way that Faith is acting. “You can sit, if you want, Faith.”

Faith shakes her head and glances up looking into worried blue eyes. Taking a deep breath, she clasps her hands behind her back and holds contact with Tara’s eyes. “I was wonderin’ if maybe you would like to go out to dinner and a movie tonight.”

Tara’s eyes widen slightly as she looks into the slayer’s scared warm brown eyes. Scared? Tara blinks a couple times before having to ask. “Are you asking as friends or something else?”

Faith swallows and glances down before looking back up. “Somethin’ else.” She whispers quietly.

Tara feels her heart swell at the obviously worried slayer. Being around the woman, Tara has come to realize she cares for her deeply, but never thought that the slayer would, or possibly even could, return the feelings. She’s been taking the time they spent together as friendship and nothing more. Just sending the angry young woman her calming influence.

Realizing that she was starting to go off to her own little world, Tara slides her legs out from under her and gracefully stands up to walk up in front of the slayer, who is now looking down at the floor and mumbling quietly to herself. As she gets closer, she realizes the slayer thinks she might have screwed up their friendship.

Shaking her head slightly, Tara hooks a finger gently under the slayer’s chin, urging her to look up. As Faith’s soulful brown eyes make contact with hers, Tara smiles gently. “I would love to go out with you tonight.”

Faith’s eyes widen as the witch's words sink in. “I didn’t fuck up?” Faith asks incredulously.

Chuckling quietly Tara shakes her head. “No, you didn’t fuck up, Faith.” Gently running a finger down the slayer’s cheek, Tara smiles softly as Faith unconsciously presses into the caress.

Faith smiles, feeling relief at the witches words. “Where would you like to go?” Faith asks huskily watching Tara’s blue eyes, seeing the strength that was now so much a part of the woman that was just hinted at when she came here little less than a month ago.

“Anywhere would be wonderful.” Tara smiles gently, before frowning. “I better figure out something for dinner quickly.”

Faith shakes her head. “They’re gonna eat take-out. Fang’s orders.” Faith smirks.

“Angel? What?” Tara looks confusedly at the slayer.

“He practically ordered me to take you out on a date and threw me the keys to his car. I guess he got tired of watching me stalk you or somethin’.” Faith lips twitch up in a half smile.

“I’ve been wondering if it was coincidence or on purpose that every time Gunn was around, you showed up.” Tara raises an eyebrow questioningly at the slayer.

Blushing lightly, Faith glances down. “Maybe sort of on purpose.”

Tara chuckles quietly. “Well, I have actually been asked out today by two people.”

Faith’s head jerks up and looks at Tara with a worried look in her eye.

“I didn’t realize Gunn was hitting on me.” Tara laughs self consciously. “Needless to say I don’t think you have to worry about him hanging around me much anymore.”

“He asked you out.” Faith mutters and at Tara’s nod she growls lowly, before the rest of what the witch said sinks in. “You told him no?” Faith looks back up surprised.

“Yes. I almost made an idiot out of myself. The way I phrased it made him think it was because he’s black.” Tara rolls her eyes at her own stupidity.

“You would never turn someone down because of that.” Faith shakes her head, knowing the witch would never even think to take that into consideration.

“Thank you.” Tara smiles quietly. “But needless to say I explained that I was gay. Now everything’s fine.”

“You still haven’t been to Caritas. I know it isn’t necessarily a great place to go for a date, but they do have good food.” Faith offers hopefully.

“He wants me to sing again, doesn’t he?” Tara groans out.

“Maybe we can do a duet or something.” Faith offers with a twinkle in her eye.

“Wonder if he has Kid Rock on the machine.” Tara giggles slightly.

“We could sing Picture it would be a good song to sing.” Faith suggests watching as Tara laughs. Reaching up, Faith gently pushes a stray hair off Tara’s face.

Tara stops laughing watching as Faith’s eyes darken slightly. Reaching up, Tara runs her thumb over the full bottom lip of the slayer. Allowing herself to wonder what it would be like to kiss those full lips. So many times, she had to make herself stop thinking about kissing the woman. Unconsciously running her tongue over her own lips, she hears Faith groan. Glancing up from where she’s been mesmerized by the slayers lips, Tara swallows at the look of pure hunger on the slayer’s face.

Faith reaches up and runs her hand through Tara’s dark honey blonde hair. Cupping behind her head, Faith gently leans down the short distance to brush her lips over Tara’s.

Tara returns the kiss, gently pressing her lips against the slayers before pulling away briefly to look in the slayers eyes before wrapping her arms around the slayers neck and tilting her head going in for a deeper, exploring kiss.

Faith groans and opens her mouth slightly in invitation as she feels Tara’s tongue gently run over her lips.

Tara feels her knees weaken slightly as she gently eases into the slayer’s mouth, slowly stroking against her tongue before wrapping a hand in the dark tresses, pulling her in for a tighter fit. As Faith takes control of the kiss, Tara groans loudly as she sucks on her tongue. After a few minutes of battling, both women pull gently away panting. Tara swallows slightly before opening her eyes.

Faith watches silently as Tara finally opens her eyes. Seeing the dark blue eyes staring back at her, Faith growls lowly before pressing a quick hard kiss against the pillowy soft lips, before pulling away. “I need to take a shower.” Faith huskily whispers. “I kinda destroyed Fang’s heavy bag earlier.”

Tara nods her head slightly before reaching out and pulling the slayer’s body in tight against hers before kissing her again. Tara’s tongue searches out it’s mate, strongly flicking her tongue against Faith’s before mapping out the inside of the slayer’s mouth, groaning as she feels Faith run her hands down her back, placing her hands low, pulling her body in tighter against her. Finally pulling away and resting her forehead against Faith’s, Tara plays with the hair she finds her hands buried in.

Faith groans quietly at the pressure of the witch’s body pressed against hers. “How did we go from talking about Kid Rock to a serious make-out session?” Faith hoarsely gets out.

“Couldn’t resist.” Tara whispers out. “It’s been driving me nuts wondering how your lips would feel pressed against mine.”

“Then why did you wait for me to make a move?” Faith growls out lowly.

“Not sure you were interested in me as more than being a friend.” Tara breathes out slightly. Pulling back to look in Faith’s eyes, Tara smiles sardonically. “You do run hot and cold occasionally.”

Rolling her eyes, Faith chuckles quietly. “Probably because I didn’t realize I wanted more. Guess that means I owe Fang. Shit.” Faith grumbles.

Tara chuckles at Faith. “We’ll need to get him a new heavy bag at least. Why did you destroy it?” Tara questions tilting her head slightly.

“I didn’t know at the time why, but I now realize I was jealous.” Faith mumbles quietly looking down.

“You don’t have a reason to be jealous.” Tara whispers. Gently cupping the side of the slayer’s face, she urges her to look up. Looking in her eyes Tara shakes her head. “I would never give you a reason to be jealous.”

Faith smiles gently at the witch before placing a gentle kiss on her lips. “Let me go get showered and changed. Did you want to go to Caritas? We don’t have to if you would rather go elsewhere.” Smiling shyly, Faith whispers “They have great wings, and they have this sauce that would probably give me an ulcer if I wasn’t the slayer.”

Tara giggles at the slayer and shakes her head. “Caritas is fine. I wouldn’t mind getting cleaned up either.” Running her hand down the slayer’s cheek, Tara purrs quietly before leaning in and kissing along Faith’s jaw line to nibble up behind her ear. “Taste good.” Tara murmurs before sucking the ear lobe in her mouth.

Faith growls deeply at the witches ministrations. “Blondie, unless you want me to throw you on that bed right now, you might want to stop that.”

Tara smirks to herself, thinking that probably wouldn’t be a bad thing. Finally deciding that it would be best to go a little slower, Tara pulls away and rests her head against the slayer’s strong shoulder. Taking a deep breath, she steps back and nods towards the door. “Might want to go now.”

Faith smirks slightly. “Definitely not the shy witch, are you?”

“No. And if you don’t get out of here, you may be the one thrown on the bed.” Tara growls out quietly. Tara realizes that yes, she’d loved Willow. She and Willow had definitely been physically compatible. But there was something about Faith that literally had her wanting to pounce on her. After all this time, the talking and getting to know each other, Tara feels like she knows Faith better than probably anybody else does. Knows that even though neither one of them has talked about it, that she was abused and worse as a child, also.

Faith grins at Tara and glances over at the bed before looking back with a raised eyebrow.

“Go, Faith.” Tara narrows her eyes slightly. “I’m having a hard enough time fighting my own desires. Don’t make it worse.”

Faith’s eyes open wide in surprise before realizing that though the witch obviously wanted her, she was wanting to take her time. “’Kay. See you in an hour?” Faith offers backing towards the door watching Tara.

“I’ll be ready.” Tara agrees quietly, watching Faith. The strong body moving silently and strongly backwards. “Go, Faith, please.”

Faith watches as the passion flairs deeper in the witches eyes and inhales deeply at the depth. As the smell of arousal hits her nostrils, Faith groans. Feeling her own body urging her to finish what they started, Faith growls before turning and slamming the door behind her as she heads to her room.

Tara walks to her bed and collapses on it, trying to get her traitorous body under control after Faith left. “Goddess, what is happening to me?” Tara moans out looking up at the ceiling, her body aching to be touched. “I know it’s been roughly five months. But I have never known my body to act this way.”

Reaching up, Tara runs her hand gently over her breast and moans at the feeling. Shaking her head, she quickly pulls her hand away and stands up to take a shower. “A cold shower is exactly what the doctor ordered.” Tara mumbles to herself as she grabs a pair of flare legged jeans and a blue short sleeved button-up shirt out of the closet to wear. Heading into the bathroom, she flips the cold water on before stripping and jumping in, almost crying out as the cold hits her overheated body. “Shut up, body.” Tara grumbles, before proceeding to clean herself and get ready for her date.

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

Faith whistles as she finishes dressing. Smiling at the thought of the witch. “Damn, girl is hot.” Faith shakes her head in disbelief. “And can she kiss.” Faith growls lowly. “I ain’t never gotten that turned on by just kissing someone. Damn.”

Looking over at the clock she realizes she’s already used up the hour and quickly grabs the keys putting them in her pocket before grabbing the cash that she hasn’t used. Not much to spend money on here, except clothes. Faith thinks to herself grinning. Room, board and meals. Can’t beat it.

Quickly heading down the hallway to Tara’s room, she smoothes a slightly sweaty palm over her newest pair of jeans and double checks to make sure her tank top is tucked in. Taking a deep, steadying breath she knocks lightly on Tara’s door.

Tara hears the light knock on the door and glances at the clock quickly finishing putting on a light layer of lipstick, she opens the door and smiles at the slayer.

Faith bounces on her feet slightly before settling down and quirking her lip at the witch. “Ready?”

“Let me grab my purse.” Tara walks over to the dresser grabbing her purse before walking back to the slayer standing in the doorway. Tilting her head slightly, Tara smiles.

Faith smiles back, then realizes she’s blocking the door. “Sorry.” She whispers before stepping back to let Tara out of her room.

Tara chuckles quietly. “I wouldn’t think you would be so…” Tara stops trying to think of the word.

“I ain’t never been on a date before.” Faith explains quietly.

Tara looks at the slayer, shocked. “You’ve never…” Tara sees Faith shaking her head she sighs quietly. “Well, we are a pair, aren’t we?” Tara grins. As Faith’s dimples appear, Tara groans under her breath. “Let’s head out before I decide to kiss you again.”

Faith chuckles before smiling even bigger. “I don’t see anything wrong with another kiss.”

“The problem is it won’t be just one.” Tara growls before turning to head down the stairs.

“Still don’t see nothin’ wrong with it.” Faith chuckles following the witch.

Tara stops and turns around quickly. “Are you wanting another kiss?”

“Hell yeah.” Faith growls out and then groans as Tara pulls her in for a quick passionate kiss before releasing her. Blinking her eyes at the blonde, Faith shakes her head to get her bearings. “Fuck me.”

Tara grins and raises an eyebrow. “Soon. Very soon.” Before turning around and leaving a stunned slayer standing at the top of the stairs.

“Damn girl. Were you like this before?” Faith asks as she hurries up to catch the witch halfway down the stairs.

“Not so much.” Looking with mischievous eyes at the slayer, Tara grins. “I mean there wasn’t the quickness that we have happening between us. Before it took time to develop. But never to this degree.” Tara smirks slightly before heading out to the main staircase to walk down them, seeing Angel lurking by the front counter, smirking at them.

“I think Fang’s been listening in.” Faith growls roughly.

Angel raises his hands. “I can’t help it. It wasn’t like you were being quiet or anything.” Angel smiles slightly. “So everything is good?”

“Very, very good.” Faith smirks before sliding her eyes to the witch, watching her blush.

“Figured as much.” Angel chuckles and actually laughs as he watches Tara blush darker.

“That just isn’t fair.” Tara looks at him with narrowed eyes. “If it wasn’t for your help in this matter, I would be thinking very seriously about hiding your blood.”

“His help with what?” Cordelia asks coming out from the break room, looking at the witch.

Tara looks at Faith and raises an eyebrow, silently questioning if she wants everyone to know or not.

Faith smirks before wiggling her eyebrows at Cordelia. “Hooking me and the witch up so we can get hot and heavy with each other.”

Cordelia’s eyes grow wide and she looks from one woman to the other before narrowing her gaze. “Ha ha, funny Faith.”

Tara shrugs her shoulders and grins. “She’s actually telling you the truth, more or less, Cordy.” Turning to look at Faith she smiles. “Ready?”

“Better believe it. Thanks for the use of the wheels.” Faith smiles at Angel, before grinning as she feels Tara lace their fingers together.

“Don’t wait up.” Tara smirks at Angel.

Cordelia stands there stunned watching the two women walk out of the hotel before looking back at a silently laughing vampire. “You have got to be kidding me.”

Angel shakes his head. “Nope. Those two are hell on wheels now. It’s going to be fun to see what kind of mischief they get up to together.”

“But…gay?” Cordy raises an eyebrow.

“Tara is. Faith pretty much swings whichever way she wants to, from what I can figure out.” Turning serious for a second, Angel looks in Cordelia’s eyes. “There’s a very good chance that something serious is happening with those two. If you haven’t noticed, since Tara came here Faith has been a lot more easy going and not so moody.”

Cordelia stops and thinks about it for a moment. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. But why?”

“I think Tara’s soul calls out to the hurt and angry soul of the slayer, calming it.” Angel glances out at the darkening sky. “If I would hazard a guess, I would say Faith could very easily fall in love with Tara. If she knows what love is.”

“Damn.” Cordelia whispers quietly. “I’m glad someone has a chance at happiness.” Cordelia quickly turns on her heel and heads back to the break room.

Angel watches her leave and sighs heavily. “Me, too.” Angel agrees quietly before walking into his office and gently shutting the door.