Love Through Touch

Disclaimer: See Part 1
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"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"

Tara jerked awake as the pitter patter of furiously running little feet flew by her door.

Slowly she dragged her aching body out of the bed. Willow murmured at the loss of her warm bedmate.

"No no no no NO!" Star screamed again.

"Look it has to be done" Mycah tried once again to touch the little girl only to have her run away from her again.

"No!" Star buried her head firmly into Tara's hips as she ran to her.

"What's going on?" Tara carressed the little girls hair. Her fingers caught in the tangled mass just as she noticed the brush and comb in Mycah's hands "Oh. Well it does have to be done"

"I want Mama to do it" Star whined into Tara's hip.

"Mama's not here ok?" Mycah made another grab for Star only to have her run from Tara to Buffy's closed door.

"Liar" Star ran in and slammed the door behind her.

"I am not" Mycah said to herself.

"Buffy's Mama. Hyatt's Mommy" Tara explained with a sigh.

"Oh. My bad" Mycah smiled and knocked on the offending door "Buffy? Hey Buff could you send
the little monster out here she needs her hair brushed."

They heard a whining 'no' and Buffy's voice whispering to her softly.

"I want you to do it" Star whined from inside the room.

"Sweetie Mama doesn't know how to do it" Mycah called before she could hear Buffy's answer.

"Then teach her!" Star screamed.

They heard a scuffling and lots of whining then the door opened.

Buffy's eyes were swollen and her cheeks a bit red and wet.

"Are you okay Buffy?" Tara reached out and wiped a running tear from her cheek.

Behind them on the bed Star's eyes were equally puffy and red from crying.

"Yeah. Could you show me how? I don't want her anymore upset than she already is" Buffy gave Tara and squeeze and following Mycah back into the room.

Tara waddled sorely back to her and Willows bedroom.

"Oh and Tara?" Buffy called sticking her head into the hallway.

"Yeah" Tara leaned feebly against the wall next to her door.

"Soak in some hot water and let Willow give you a rub down. You'll be good as new" Buffy smiled and disappeared once again.

"Why didn't I think of that?" Tara grumbled as she stumbled into the room "Will? Honey?"
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Hyatt headed out to her car but froze before getting in it. Something just didn't feel right.

Looking up at the sky she could see the sun shining brightly and directly on her drivers seat.

The seat was completely shadowed.

"Now isn't this interesting" she murmured walking around the car a few times. Tapping on the windows
she noticed a dark head shaped shadow follow her as she rounded the car.

Backing away slowly she made it to the porch of the house before turning around.

Naida stood before her.

"You're quick" the Seer smiled slowly.

"You're evil" Hyatt smiled back.

"You're nothing to this but a pawn" Naida tried staring Hyatt down. A task she found harder than usual
"You're not afraid of this are you?"

"No" Hyatt advanced until she was eye to eye with the girl "I'm not afraid of this. It's started. It'll end"

"With you dead and this world a literal hell" Naida boasted.

"No. This will end with your lover dust and you no more than some insane woman who see's
things and claims the stars speak to her" Hyatt shoved Naida away from her "You've got two slayers
and some powerful witches to deal with here. I seriously doubt we'll lose"

"Either way. This world loses" Naida turned and walked from the porch. As she moved past the car she
called the shadows forth from inside "And I'll be dancing on your grave"
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"Thisisbadthisisbadthisisbadthisisbad" Hyatt muttered as she entered the Magic Box early Monday morning "thisissobadthisisbadthisisbad Hi Anya, Dawnie, Jeanie thisisbad" she paced as the ex vengeance demon watched her with interest. Dawn and Jean quickly escaped to the back.

"What is bad?" Anya tilted her head "and speak freely if it's about Buffy and your sex life"

Hyatt stopped and smirked at Anya "Oh no that's 'all' good. It's this prophecy that's bad"

"Well yes. Hello whole world will end" Anya waved as if to gain her attention "That's generally considered bad. Now Buffy's a hellcat in bed?"

"Yes. Wait..." Hyatt shook her head "Stop asking sex questions. And Buffy's way more than a hellcat in bed. We're talking woozy when the lickings done" Hyatt winked "happy now?"

Anya nodded with a silly smile on her face "Yeah. Ok what's even more bad about this prophecy?"

"A witch or something visited me this morning" Hyatt dropped into a chair "I don't know quite what she was. Her energy's really screwed. But I could smell a vampire all over her"

"Oh. So they were..?" Anya sat down hoping for some juicy gossip.

"Yes Anya. You little nympho" Hyatt rolled her eyes.

"Well I never denied it" Anya pouted.
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Willow yawned as she ran the hot water for Tara's bath. Buffy had allowed her to do it in the bathroom connected to her room so that they didn't back up the morning shower line.

Tara sat on the bed with Buffy and Star watching the slayer gently brush and comb the tangles from the complaining little girls hair.

Mycah watched from the side giving pointers when needed.

"Ow" Star jerked her head away and gave Buffy a dirty look.

"That'll teach you to brush your hair everyday" Buffy pulled her back and went back
to killing the tangle she'd pulled.

"And you have to do this all the time?" Tara questioned watching Buffy fight the unbeatable enemy that was curly hair.

"Yup sometimes twice a day" Mycah chuckled "you should try it when it's wet. Talk about hell"

"Ow Mama" Star whined forcing tears.

"Oh I'm so sorry sweetie" Buffy abandoned the brush and hugged the little girl close.

"You are so whipped" Mycah rolled her eyes and left to find Faith.
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Tara relaxed in the bath as Willow ran the warm sponge over her tense form.

"What did you do yesterday?" Willow squeezed the sponge and warm water ran rivulets down Tara's
breasts that she followed hungrily with her eyes.

"Buffy was teaching me some defensive moves" Tara smiled dreamily "then she threw in some
offensive attacks and I landed on my ass. Alot"

"Oh" Willow clucked as she began to rub Tara's back as she washed it "I'll have to tell Buffy to be easier on my girl."

"I'm not made of glass sweetie" Tara leaned back and up placing a sweet kiss on Willow's chin.

Willow lifted Tara slightly and waited.

Tara hissed as the soreness in her upper limbs and gave Willow a wane smile "Point proven"

Willow chuckled darkly "Hey Buffy?"

The slayer sat day dreaming in her room and snapped to attention when Willow called her name
"Yeah Wills?"

"You almost broke my girl" Willow stuck her head out the door and gave the slayer a dark frown.

"Sorry Will. But all she needs is a little TLC" Buffy rose and began to back towards the door. The
Wiccan had hell in her eyes and she wasn't gonna stick around to see how hot it was.

"I'm giving her TLC" Willow rolled her eyes. Tilting her head to the side Buffy's bedroom door slammed shut and the slayer was trapped inside "I'm just warning you for future reference. Go easy on my girl"

"She just needs TLC" Buffy repeated.

"I'm giving her-" Willow argued her teeth clenched.

"Not that kind your thinking of" Buffy cut her off and smirked.

"What other kind is there?" Willow glared at the slayer. She hated being out of the loop.

"Play a little doctor. You know throw in some tender licks and cuddles. She'll loosen right up" Buffy
escaped while Willow still had the half amazed half embarrassed look on her face.

"Tara? Sweetie I think Buffy just told us to have sex" Willow squatted once again next to the tub Tara
luxuriated in.

"That's nice baby" Tara answered not really listening.

"Ok" Willow shrugged and got down to it.
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Buffy joined Faith and Mycah at the table downstairs. She smiled her thanks to Mycah when a plate of french toast was placed in front of her.

Star sat in Faith's lap pouting. Her hair was freshly brushed and pulled back into a ponytail, her natural curls falling neatly down her back.

Buffy nibbled at the toast, not really hungry but eating because she knew she had to.

Suddenly her plate tipped up dumping the contents into her lap.

Star smiled darkly and Faith laughed hysterically at the astonished look on Buffy's face.

Buffy opened her mouth to complain about her treatment when a loud moan rang out through the house.

"I wanna go to the Magic Box" Mycah said to no one in particular "Who's coming with me?"

Every hand shot up.

"I'll drive my car too" Buffy stood catching the fallen toast and stuffing it most in her mouth as she grabbed her keys "Is anyone riding with me?"

Star crossed her arms stubbornly, Kole shook her head. Faith stared at Mycah with a sappy look on her face.

"Ok I'm going stag. Yay me" Buffy said humorlessly and walked out to her car.

"How are the love birds gonna get to the Magic Box?" Faith asked at Mycah rapidly cleaned up the kitchen.

"They'll find a way" Mycah assured her as an audibly moaned 'yes' filtered downstairs.

"Good enough for me" grabbing the two kids Faith fled out the door with Mycah on her heels.
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Tara pressed her fisted hands on the bottom of the tub to keep herself from sliding under the bubble filled water.

"Is that good baby?" Willow asked flexing her fingers inside Tara once more drawing out the tortured 'yes'.

Tara panted as she tried to tell Willow what she wanted "You...you're not close enough"

Willow leaned in, bending over the tub and whispering in Tara's ear "Is this close enough?" slowly licking the rim of Tara's ear she placed tiny kisses on the lobe's and moved down to spread them across her neck.

"Closer" Tara smirked and got a good hold on Willow pulling her full body, and fully dressed, into the tub with her.

Willow squealed when she felt the warm water splash up around her waist, effectively soaking her cotton Care Bear pj's.

"Tara!" Willow giggled at the satisfied look on Tara's face.

"Now that's close enough" Tara pulled Willow into a hot kiss before the redhead could complain about being fully dressed in the bath tub.

Willow braced her hands on either side of Tara holding them both up when Tara wrapped her arms around her neck and deepened the kiss.

Willow moaned as Tara's tongue caressed her's with a slowly sensuality that was doing crazy things to her insides. She could hear her own heartbeat in her ears, coupled nicely with Tara's muffled moans.

Balancing herself on one hand she trailed a teasing hand down Tara's body. Stopping only briefly to caress her sensitive breasts, toying with the nipples before moving down over her heaving belly and between her legs.

Tara gasped out of the kiss when Willow's fingers found her clit and began drawing circles around it. Moving slightly to the left or right, Willow never touched the nub that was begging to be caressed.

Tara whined turning her body in hopes of causing Willow to touch her where it was most needed.

"Shh" Willow kissed Tara softly as she moved lower into the tub. Spreading Tara's legs and bracing them against the sides she smiled as she hefted the blonde's hips, liberating her lower half from the warm bubbly water.

Tara blushed and balanced herself up on her elbows to avoid being dunked.

Licking her lips and looking like a cat ready to eat the canary, Willow brought Tara's hips forward, meeting her half way with her mouth, and devoured the other woman like a starving man at a free banquet.

Tara's head snapped back when Willow's teasing mouth found her clit. She began to press forward when Willow ground her tongue against the swollen little nub before flicking it quickly over it several times.
Tara released sighed that turned into ragged moans as Willow toyed with her, usuing every trick she knew, stimulating every place she knew Tara's liked to be nibbled, licked, or caressed.

Willow was enjoying herself. Not only did she love the way her lover tasted, but she too found gratification while performing this act. She felt her passion rise with every thrust of Tara's hips against her mouth, with each little sound and tremor, she was, in short, pleasuring herself by pleasuring her lover. An odd sort of feedback loop.

Racking her teeth over Tara's clit as she moved down to taste the very core of her, she felt the first convulsions as Tara succumbed to her orgasms. She held on tight as her lover thrashed back and forth in the water, rising and falling in time with her hips as she ground herself against the glorious mouth. Willow narrowly avoided getting water up her nose when Tara's spastic movements stopped, and she herself slipped beneath the shallow water as her arms gave up.

"Tara! Oh goddess Tara are you okay?" Willow quickly pulled the young woman upsright.

Sputtering and spitting Tara attempted to catch her breath once more as she drained that soapy water from her nasal cavaties.

"I'm good" Tara shot Willow a warm look "Oh I'm very very good"

Willow settled back against the spigot of the tub chuckling as Tara pulled herself fully upright as well, squeezing Willow gently with her spread legs "Now I'm all limber, and I don't think I'm sore"

Willow burst into uncontrolled laughter "I guess Buffy was right. All you needed was tender licks and cuddles"
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"The love birds are at it again" Star said in way of greeting as they all trudged into the Magic Box.

"Lovely" Giles didn't look up from the text "Has anyone seen Hyatt?"

"She was here earlier" Anya added several more books to the already monstrous pile on the table "She went to work out or something"

"She can work out in the training room. Why would she go-" Faith shut up when Mycah nudged her none too gently.

"She's avoiding me" Buffy state flatly joining Giles at the table. Grabbing a random text she flipped it open "Giles are there really weakness is the fabric of space between our world and others?"

"Why yes there are. Very astute Buffy. But may I ask why you want to know this?" Giles smiled at his slayer almost giddy that she'd taken an interest in research as opposed to simply slaying.

"Well, when me and Faith were fighting this like horde of vamps last week, there was a wtich in the graveyard making this symbol, and this one here looks like the Vivione Charms we keep seeing" Buffy pointed the pictures out listlessly.

"Oh dear god" Giles said after reading the text a few minutes "Oh dear, dear god help us all"

"They're not trying to open the HellMouth are they?" Jeanie asked from her spot leaning against the training room door "They're trying to open all the weaknesses in the fabric of out reality"

"And letting every type of unknown Hell loose on us" Giles removed his glasses slamming them down on the table top shaking everyone with the intensity of his unhidden gaze.

"It's worse than that" Anya pulled a folded piece of paper from her pocket "They're not just unleashing Hell on us. It's not just Sunnydale" unfolding the paper she placed in before Giles "They're unleashing Hell in all it's spotted glory..."

"On the whole world" Giles finished.
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Anya found herself shaking. She glanced around the nearly empty store, her eyes stopping on the forms of the children, who were engaged in a quiet game. She knew things were off. The kids were quiet. There were no childish screams, no giggles, not even a whispered word.

The older Scoobs had dashed off in a search for Hyatt, while Giles attempted to contact the Council to identify some local powerful covens. He thought they were gonna need more fire power than they had.

Willow had appeared then vanished after her quick call to Angel in L.A, while Buffy, Tara and Xander searched for their information laden friend.

Anya had serious doubts about them winning. She wanted to tell Xander that they should just take their things and get the hell out of Sunnydale. She wanted to.

But she wouldn't. If something like this had happened a few years ago, when she was newly human and didn't give a damn about the people around her besides Xander. Now she knew what friends were. How friends lived together, worked together and looked out for each other. Right now she'd give anything for her friends not to have to do this. But she knew she couldn't.

So she'd wait. And she'd fight. Anya turned her glance back to the four younger Scoobies.

And she'd kill anything that came near them.
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Buffy checked gyms, and lots, ever stopped at the few of the Magicks shops in town asking if anything had seen someone matching Hyatt's description.

She had no luck.

Settling down on a bench outside her favorite fast food place she munched on a poorly put together burger and wondered how everything could go so wrong.

The end of the world. That was nothing new. She'd been through that more times than she cared to count or even remember.

She remembered back to when Angel had left, right after the maelstrom that was her Graduation. It didn't hurt nearly as much as Hyatt leaving. Even if she didn't stay gone.

Finishing the rest of the onion laden burger and headed out again.
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Tara stopped in front of 'Kathleen's Dance and Aerobics' and considered the vibe she was getting. Hefting the heavy door, she walked in slowly looking from left to right at the multiple trophies and Studio pictures.

"Hi. Can I help you?" a cheerful voice greeted as she came to the front desk.

"I'm looking for Hyatt?" Tara said shyly as she smiled back at the woman.

"She's in the back, are you a friend?" the woman came from behind the desk extending a kind hand.

"Yes. I'm Tara" accepting the hand she shook it, startled only momentarily as a empathic wave went through her.

"Ah Tara, she'll be glad to see you" the woman held onto Tara's hand as she led the way into the back "I'm Ramona"

Tara smiled as she was shown into a room with a padded floor and mirrored walls.

Ramona let herself out without a word.

"Hey Hyatt" Tara leaned against the closed door, the only vertical surface in the room that was mirrorless.

"You found me" Hyatt didn't bother to turn and face the blond, opting to watch her reflection in the mirror.

"We have bad news" Tara continued "We know exactly what the Vivone are trying to do"

"Bring Hell on Earth by opening the weakness in the fabric of our universe. Basically making small portal all over the world and space that anything can travel through" Hyatt finally turned and faced Tara.

Unable to hide her surprise Tara stood speechless sad before the darker girl "You knew?"

"Not until Fatima told me this afternoon. I went to ask Lucita about the weakness of the shadows. They told me what they had uncovered then" Hyatt's mouth was in a thin flat line with nothing but sadness and anger shining in her eyes "I don't know if we can beat this Tara"

"Come home" Tara said in answer.

Hyatt's body jolted as if she'd been struck "I'm not ready"

"We need you to come home" Tara tried again "It'll be Thanksgiving in 4 days. We're a family, we should be together for that. You owe it to Star, don't you think?"

"I'll take her out for dinner on Thanksgiving" Hyatt turned her back once again.

"That wouldn't include the whole family" Tara huffed in agitation "Anya has it all planned out. She's even made a seating chart" Tara finished with a chuckled.

Hyatt laughed a little as well "I want to Tara. I really do. But I don't think I'm ready. Buffy hurt me"

"You're hurting her too" Tara pointed out.

"Then this is a learning experience" Hyatt cut her off stubbornly.

"You won't fix this, whatever it is that's wrong between you, it won't get fixed by avoiding her" Tara approached Hyatt slowly hoping to persuade her to come back without any drastic measures.

"I can't be around her for very long without remembering her...hiding me from...him" Hyatt finished between grinding teeth.

"She made a mistake" Tara agreed.

"No shit" Hyatt growled.

"She's sorry. She's learned from it. Now it's time for 'you' to get over it" Tara raised her voice as she rarely did.

"You don't know-" Hyatt began to argue.

"I did it to Willow" Tara looked anywhere but at Hyatt.

"What?" Hyatt spun absolutely sure she'd heard Tara wrong.

"My family came. I told them Willow was just a friend" Tara laughed humorlessly "She had the same look on her face as you did"

Hyatt tilted her head in curiousity.

"She never mentioned it but I knew I'd hurt her" Tara began to pace slowly "I thought I was a demon, so I wanted to hide my true self from the Scoobs. It kinda backfired but they still accepted me. Mistakes and all. They forgave me. Buffy even called me family"

"That's different" Hyatt whispered.

"Not really. Willow didn't leave me for denying her. And to my father and brother no less" Tara stopped directly behind Hyatt.

"Ok then it's kinda that same" Hyatt admitted "But I'm not ready to come-" she stumbled forward when Tara suddenly surged against her lower back "What the hell?"

"The day I can knock you on your ass, right?" Tara leapt forward again knocked Hyatt to the side.

Hyatt stumbled again, surprised at how quick Tara was "You're not serious?"

"That what the deal. I knock you on your ass you come home ready or not. It's simple. Simple is good" Tara let a loose moon kick Hyatt way which was easily blocked.

"Tara I'm not gonna fight you" Hyatt backed away hands held palm out.

"Why not? You made the deal. Now come on" throwing a quick jab Tara advanced on Hyatt again.

Blocked the jab and squashing the instinct to return one Hyatt shook her head "Tara let's 'not' do this"

"No. You made a deal-" Tara kicked Hyatt in her back sending the girl stumbled a few stpes forward.

"Fuck the deal okay! I'm not gonna fight you" Hyatt spun again, dodge the kicks Tara aimed at her "When did you learn to fight anyway?"

"Buffy taught me yesterday" Tara back kicked. Hyatt blocked knocking Tara on her ass "She did that to me alot too" standing and brushing herself off Tara advancec once again "Faith taught me something too"

"Really? What?" Hyatt chuckled as Tara tried a jab-round house-kick rally that was blocked completely.

"To fight dirty" Tara smiled and bounced around on her heels like a boxer.

"Faith taught you to street fight?" Hyatt nodded biting her lips playfully "Somehow I can't see you street fighting"

"No she didn't teach me to streetfight" Tara rolled her eyes "Do you know how many pieces Willow would have her in if she did?"

"Probably the Square Route of 2" Hyatt chuckled "So you fight dirty now. Let's see it"

Tara advanced once again, backing Hyatt up to a mirror knowing the girl wouldn't hit her back to save her life. She wasn't phased when most of her punches were blocked, or when she was spun out of her kicks. Nor did she think of stopping when Hyatt knocked her on her ass three consecutive times.

She did however calm down when she was flipped over in the air one complete turn landing hard on her already tortured gluteus maximus.

"Ok ok. Maybe it's not meant to be done that way" Tara picked herself up slowly blowing out a tired breath "You won that battle Hyatt" limping over to the door where she'd conscientiously taken off her shoes upon entering.

Hyatt shook her head. She wasn't even winded. Not that she'd really been fighting. She'd spent most of their hour and a half together fending off Tara with simple blocks.

"I won't fight you Tara. I'm too afraid of Willow" She joked drawing a smile from the heat soaked Wiccan.

Tara sat down and pulled her shoes back on "Yes the redheaded terror of Sunnydale. My beloved" Tara blew a kiss to her girlfriend. Sending it straight up for effect.

Hyatt pulled Tara to her feet, winching in sympathy when Tara winced "She's gonna kill me isn't she?"

"No. Buffy did the same thing yesterday" Tara stretched her legs "I think I'm getting used to it though"

Hyatt laughed for the first time that day "You don't get used to it. You get better"

"True" Tara licked her lips and held on a hand "Fair fight?"

"Yeah it was fair" Hyatt reached out to shake. When her hand and Tara's connected a surge of pure magick energy surged, throwing her back, completely lifting her off the floor.

She landed hard on her butt on the opposite side of the room.

"Tara!" Hyatt squaled gaining her feet.

"That was fighting dirty" Tara winked "And I knocked you on your ass. I win"

Hyatt stared at the blonde wiccan speechless.

"What?" Tara looked at her with a fake aire of superiority.

"Tuesday sound good?" Hyatt sighed in defeat. She couldn't get out of this one. Tara had been her fair and square. Fighting dirty of course.

Tara checked her mental date book "We plan on taking the kids to the Thanksgiving Fair on Fall Hollow's Fairground on Tuesday. Meet us there let's say Two-ish?" Tara reached out and took Hyatt's hand, walking out of the room dragging the girl as if she hadn't a care in the world.

"Like I could say no?" Hyatt rolled her eyes.

Waving to Ramona behind the desk they left together.

"That's right. You can't!" Tara half skipped as she dragged Hyatt the few blocks it was to the Magic Box "But don't tell anyone. I want Tuesday to be a surprise. They could all use a good one of those"

"Deal" Hyatt sighed.
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Monday flew by and everyone wondered about Tara's jubilant attitude. She'd been caught humming several times.

Buffy had asked if she'd found a way to prevent the end of the world, to which Tara answered a startled and resounding 'no'. But she had let slip that Buffy's world might not be so upside down after Tuesday.

Buffy only hoped she was right.

"Tara?" Willow's questioning voice startled Tara early Tuesday morning as they lay in bed.

"Yes?" turning to look into Willow's worry filled eyes Tara opened her arms and allowed the redhead to snuggle up to her.

"What's got you in such good spirits?" Willow asked placing soft kisses along Tara's collar bone.

"Just excited about today?" Tara nuzzled Willow's sleep tossled hair and rubbed her back the way she knew Willow liked.

"The Thanksgiving Fair? I know you've never been before but it's pretty cheesy. They put it on every year for the kids" Willow stroked Tara's face and neck softly, scooting up higher to place kisses on her chin.

"Yeah. But this year it's gonna be extra special" Tara pulled Willow upright following suit "what should I wear?"

"Wear? Tara why are you so worried about it?" Willow swung her legs over the side and slid from beneath the covers to stand before her lover, hands on her hips, resolve face firmly in place "What's going on?"

"It's a surprise Willow" Tara wrapped her arms around Willow's slight waist pulling her closer and planted raspberry kisses along her abdomen.

Squealing and jumping away she wagged her finger at her teasing lover and headed for the door "I know you're keeping something from me. I don't like it. But I'll let it slide this time"

"I should give you raspberries more often" Tara taunted as Willow disappeared out the door.

"No you shouldn't!"
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"This just gets cheesier every year" Buffy grumped as they walked through the craftware stands in the heart of Sunnydales Thanksgiving Fair.

"Atlease they have rides this year" Dawn tried to be optimistic "Last year all they had was the brokedown Carousel with the scary horses"

Buffy and Willow chuckled at the memory, there had been many a screaming child running from the fearsome statue horses the year before. Buffy had rushed in to fight the unbeatable monster that was artistic liscense.

"I'm still very put out that I can't help ugly" Buffy managed straitfaced.

Willow and Dawn nearly collapsed laughing while Mycah, Faith, and Tara wondered what they'd missed.

"You had to be there" Willow consoled them.

"Mama! Look cotton candy!" Star pulled Buffy towards the vendor walking around balancing the sugary goodness above his head.

"Well well, lovely ladies can I get you anything" bending low in a bow he smiled winningly at the group.

"Who wants cotton candy?" Buffy raised her hand, followed closely by Jeanie, Star, Kole and Dawn "What about you guys?"

Faith, Willow, Mycah and Tara shook their heads.

"That'll be 5 please" Buffy smiled back.

Dropping to one knee the vendor handed each girl a fluffy treat and payed compliments to each, including to Buffy who merely smiled politely.

"How much?" Willow pulled out her wallet.

"It's on the house" winking the vendor made a quick exit, waving to the surprised group.

"Well he was sweet" Faith nudged Mycah "On Buffy I mean"

"Was not" Buffy argued to the assorted chuckles of her friends.

"Oh no, he was just eyeing you like you were edible to be nice" Willow linked arms with Buffy leading her deeper into the stands.

Chuckling and enjoying their treats the other's followed.

After taking several steps Mycah stopped suddenly and turned to find Faith staring into the crowd in astonishment.

"Hey Faith? What're you looking at?" Mycah joined her staring in the same direction but not seeing anything that would capture Faith's attention so avidly.

"Oh just seeing things" Faith leaned into Mycah as they moved to join the rest who stood discussing the merits of windchimes.

"Hyatt!" Jeanie's childish squeal brought Faith's head up off Mycah's shoulder.

"Or maybe I'm not seeing things" Faith rushed forward in time to catch the little brunettes cotton candy as she shoved it blindly behind her and took off running.

The crowd miraculously parted as Jeanie made a mad dash towards a figure clad completely in black.

When she was feet away the woman turned and they saw her face clearly for the first time.

In seconds Star was dashing just as madly behind Jeanie followed closely by Dawn.
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Hyatt turned when she heard her name called, just in time to catch Jeanie as she threw herself at her.

"Hi Jeanie" stepping back to cushion the collision, she swung Jeanie around in a full circle and hugged her. Star and Dawn knocked her down completely with their joined momentum impacting her side.

"Oh we missed you"

"You disappeared yesterday after talking to Giles and-"

"Buffy was so worried-"

"Why'd you leave-"

"Mama brushed my hair and-"

"Whoa" Hyatt sat up amid the crouching children around her and held up a silencing hand "One at a time"

"Hyatt!"

Suddenly she was picked up in strong arms and embraced within an inch of her life.

"Buffy!" Hyatt hugged her back, tossing a glance over Buffy's shoulder at Tara.

"Dammit this time I'm holding onto you until I have you home and tied to my bed" Buffy growled gripping Hyatt's shoulders and staring her in the eyes.

"Ok" Hyatt smiled "I never knew you were so kinky"

Buffy blushed as Faith shoved her out of the way and embraced the darker girl herself "You bitch. You're coming home. I don't want to hear any kind of arguement saying otherwise"

"Ok" Hyatt stepped back and scooped Star up into her arms "So Buffy brushed your hair?"

"Yes, and it hurted" Star's eyes were wide as she complained "She tugged out 'all' the knots, and Mycah didn't help. She laughed at us"

"Well when has Mycah ever helped?" Hyatt rubbed noses with the little girl "Where's the little demon?"

"Me or the green one?" Kole smiled sweetly at Hyatt as she tugged on her arm.

"The green one" Hyatt laughed ruffling the girls loose hair.

"She's at the Magic Box with Anya and Xander. They opted out today. Xander didn't want to be bored and you know Anya and that store" Tara took Hyatt's free hand and squeezed it.

"Money, money, money" They all chorused.

"I just want to get you home so you can't disappear in this crowd" Buffy gripped Hyatt's arm when she placed Star back on her feet.

"Yeah!" Star pulled her back the way they came "Let's go home!"
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Willow tugged on Tara's arm as they made their way through the hectec parking lot to their cars.

"You knew didn't you?"

"Knew what?" Tara faked an innocent look.

"About Hyatt, and today? You knew" Willow punched her in the arm giving her a frustrated look.

"Well..." Tara looked away.

"That's why I love you" Willow drew her close and pressed her lips to Tara's cheek "This started to feel like a real family after you came"

Tara looked at her is disbelief but accept the comment for what it was.

"Come on love birds we have to get the other love birds home before they start necking!" Faith called to the Wiccan who had lagged behind.

"They're already necking!" Willow shouted back and pointed to the backseat where Buffy had Hyatt pinned to the chair.

"Oh come on. I told you not to!" Faith reached in and pulled Buffy out shoving her towards her own car.

"But I wanna ride with-" Buffy stopped talking and got in her car followed closely by the two Wiccan women "I'm not gonna win this"

"No. Faith doesn't wanna hear all your kissy smacking sounds" Willow got in the driver's seat and accepted Buffy's keys.

"But look at the bright side" Tara smirked "No one is gonna let her out of that car without three of those kids attached to her"

"And it's kinda hard to run with two kids on your legs and one on your back" Willow assured her "Believe me I know. They got me yesterday"

Buffy chuckled at that memory.
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