Don't Go

Buffy tilts her head as she wonders what Tara meant by that comment. Jogging after her, Buffy calls out to Dawn and Willow. “We’re leaving. We’ll be back later.” Buffy closes the door behind her as she catches up with Tara who’s already on the sidewalk. “What will happen if you’re asleep?”

Tara tucks her hands in her pockets and looks down at the concrete as they make their way towards town. “Some people sleep walk, other people talk in their sleep, I k-kind of…”

Buffy blinks and turns to look at the darkly blushing blonde. “Tara! Are you telling me you’re a lovemaking machine while you’re asleep?”

“Sort of.” Tara glances quickly at the grinning slayer before dropping her eyes back to the sidewalk in front of her. “I r-respond and my f-fingers do some serious walking if I’m given the right incentive. I’ll usually end up w-waking up, but it has been known to take a while.”

Buffy considers Tara’s words as they make their way to the first cemetery, automatically turning into it, Buffy pulls a stake as she makes her way subconsciously to one of the new graves. Leaning against a tombstone, waiting for the vampire to rise, she looks over at Tara watching Tara’s back as she looks around, making sure there aren’t any other vampires or demons nearby. “Well, I’ll try not to grope you while you’re sleeping so you won’t be embarrassed.” Buffy finally comments watching as Tara slowly turns to look at her.

“Are you a groper?” Tara questions curiously.

“Not normally.” Buffy smirks as Tara frowns at her. Chuckling at the look, Buffy reaches down and yanks the vampire from the ground, staking him before he has a chance to do anything. Striding over to the other grave Buffy let’s this vampire finish climbing out before fighting him.

Tara purses her lips as she watches Buffy fight the vampire, trying to figure out what the slayer is saying and not saying. Figuring Buffy’s just picking on her, Tara relaxes trying not to think of Buffy touching her in a sexual way, having to admit the woman is beautiful. Knowing she loves Buffy and has ever since the slayer had said she was family. But loving someone and being in love with someone is two different things. Sighing softly, Tara follows Buffy as they continue on patrol after the slayer finally stakes the vampire.

***

“Tara, I’m okay!” Buffy hisses quietly as the Wiccan gently, but inexorably pushes her towards the bathroom. Trying to be quiet and not wake up either Dawn or Willow.

“Humor me.” Tara growls softly into the slayer’s ear as she finally gets Buffy into the bathroom. Turning around, Tara quickly shuts and locks the door. “Now strip, slayer.” Tara orders as she grabs the first aid kit from under the sink, setting it on the vanity.

Buffy growls quietly at the Wiccan before slowly working her shirt off, wincing as the cloth sticks to her wound.

“I would have been able to handle him, Buffy. You didn’t have to dive in front of me.” Tara murmurs quietly as she thinks about the slayer’s selfless act when the demon had turned to attack her, ignoring the slayer.

“I couldn’t be positive of that, Tara.” Buffy watches as Tara turns to her with a washcloth she’d run under the water and squirted a small amount of body wash on.

Tara turns and frowns at the sight of the slayer’s ribs and abdomen. The wound shallow over Buffy’s ribs, but getting deeper as it went over her abdomen. “Do you want to sit down?” Tara questions worriedly, her eyes rising to look into hazel eyes. As Buffy shakes her head, Tara sighs quietly. Ignoring the slayer’s naked upper chest, Tara starts just below her breast where the cut starts and gently washes the wound, wincing in commiseration as she hears the slight inhale coming from Buffy as she pulls out a piece of cloth. Tara glances up at the slayer. “I’m sorry.”

Buffy shakes her head and takes a couple shallow breaths. “How bad is it?”

Tara finishes cleaning the wound as gently as possible. “You need stitches in the worst of it.” Tara admits quietly. “Do you want to shower then lie down so I can stitch you? Or do you want to forgo the shower tonight?”

Buffy frowns in thought, knowing she’s dirty but between the blood loss and the extreme tiredness working through her body, she’s afraid she’ll fall asleep before she finishes cleaning herself. “Maybe just a quick wipe down with the washcloth.”

Tara nods and hands the washcloth to Buffy. “Hold this, honey.” Tara orders before moving the chair behind Buffy. Moving back in front of the slayer, Tara quickly and efficiently unbuttons and unzips the slayer’s pants, grinning crookedly at the squeak coming from Buffy. “Do you really want to bend over to take off your clothes and shoes?”

Buffy clenches her jaws at the question before slowly shaking her head no, knowing that the pain would probably be too much for her right now. Watching Tara as the blonde slowly slides her jeans and panties down her legs, quirking her eyebrow as Tara kneels in front of her.

“Sit, honey.” Tara whispers as she works on untying Buffy’s boots. After the slayer gingerly sits down, she pulls the boots off, quickly followed by the socks and the rest of Buffy’s clothes. “Wash what you can reach without hurting yourself, and I’ll be back in a minute to finish what you couldn’t reach.” Tara gently squeezes Buffy’s knee before standing and heading towards the door.

Buffy watches as Tara unlocks and opens the door, sliding out of the bathroom and shutting it behind her. Reaching over the short distance to the sink, Buffy runs more water over the washcloth and squirts more body wash on it before washing her face and neck, slowly working her way down her body as she hears Tara coming back into the room.

Tara sets her large t-shirt beside the first aid kit before grabbing another wash cloth and preparing it, settling on the floor to gently wash the slayer’s feet and work her way up the slayer’s legs. “After I help get you cleaned up, do you want me to fix you a couple sandwiches?” Tara questions softly, not looking up at the slayer, having tried to keep her eyes averted from the slayer’s body whenever possible.

Buffy blinks after a few moments, having heard Tara, but the question not sinking in as she washes her body while watching as Tara keeps her eyes downcast and on the body part in front of her. Knowing that she should be embarrassed at the thought of Tara helping wash her, but realizing the Wiccan was trying to make this the least embarrassing as possible. As Tara’s question finally sinks, in, Buffy shakes her head slightly. “I don’t think I’ll be awake long enough to eat them, maybe something to drink though.”`

Tara nods and stands, letting Buffy finish cleaning her lower body as she turns away from the slayer, rinsing the washcloth in the sink. “If you stand up, I’ll wash your back for you.”

Buffy groans quietly as her stomach pulls when she stands. She gently presses the washcloth still in her hand to the wound that had started bleeding a little more freely when it pulled as she stood.

Tara turns and frowns at the sight. “Quick wash.” Tara steps behind Buffy and shifts the chair out of the way before gently washing the slayer’s surprisingly long back and quickly wiping the cloth around the slayer’s muscular butt cheeks. Turning back to the sink, Tara rinses the cloth thoroughly before turning back to wipe Buffy’s body down quickly to get the majority of the soap suds off. Gently drying her, Tara tucks the towel around her and drops the t-shirt over Buffy’s shoulder. “Go lay down in the bed, I’ll come up with some juice for you to drink along with a couple pain pills then I’ll fix the cut.” Tara orders quietly, nodding her head towards the door before turning back to the first aid kit to get out a couple of the suture kits, quickly tucking them in a pocket.

Buffy stares at Tara’s back for a few minutes, the woman’s gentle touches, and caring obvious, never having realized the woman having a backbone of steel before, metaphorically speaking, Buffy tilts her head a soft smile crossing her face at the fact. But seeing the stubborn streak along with the woman’s determination was now something to behold. Gingerly making her way out of the bathroom, Buffy crosses the hall to her bedroom to wait for Tara to finish helping her. Knowing that the woman will do whatever she deems necessary to help her.

Tara exhales quietly as Buffy finally leaves the bathroom. Dropping her chin to her chest, Tara closes her eyes as she fights the feelings that had come to the surface while washing Buffy. Silently berating herself for the surge of love that had come to the surface, along with a slight feeling of arousal as she’d washed the hurt slayer. Silently calling herself every kind of fool Tara growls quietly. ‘It isn’t bad enough I literally have just left Willow for screwing with me and everyone else, but now I have feelings surfacing for her best friend. Her very straight and hurting, best friend that has insisted on my staying here.’ Tara mentally castigates herself as she cleans up the bathroom before hurrying out and down the stairs to pour a large glass of orange juice for Buffy, knowing that the juice would be best for the slayer with the blood she’d lost from the wound. Tucking the bottle of pain pills into a pocket, Tara sighs quietly.

Quickly turning off the lights, Tara jogs up the stairs and gently pushes the door to the bedroom open, closing the distance to Buffy and handing the slayer the juice. “Drink this.” Tara turns back to the door, shutting and locking it before pulling out the suture kits, setting them on the nightstand as Buffy sips her orange juice with no argument. Grabbing the pain pills from her other pocket, Tara hands three to the slayer before setting the bottle on the nightstand also. Running a hand shakily through her hair, Tara turns to the dresser and grabs her tank top and shorts to wear to bed, setting them on top of the dresser.

“You realize you could just put some butterfly bandages on my stomach, come tomorrow morning it’ll be healed enough to just need a bandage.” Buffy comments softly. “You’ll just have to take the stitches out tomorrow afternoon sometime.”

Tara plays with her shorts without turning to face Buffy. “Which would you prefer? I’m more worried about you possibly t-tossing and turning, possibly splitting it back open where the stitches would keep it together.”

Buffy sips some more on the orange juice, while pressing gently against her wound with the washcloth she’d never put back in the sink. Knowing the bleeding had slowed down again. What Tara’s saying has merit, but hating to have the woman poke her with the needle and thread, not knowing how Tara would react to that.

“I’ll do whatever you wish, Buffy.” Tara finally whispers, grabbing her clothes and stepping towards the door. “I’ll go change and grab the first aid kit, just in case while you think about it.”

Buffy sighs softly as Tara leaves the bedroom. Sipping quicker at the orange juice, she has to admit it tastes pretty good and is making her feel a little better not wanting to admit to Tara that she was starting to get a little lightheaded. Leaning back slightly, Buffy untucks the towel before she gently eases the washcloth away from her stomach and looks at the wound. “Fuck.” Buffy grumbles at the depth of the wound, knowing that it should be stitched. Setting the glass down, Buffy grabs one of the suture kits. Gingerly moving to lie on the bed, Buffy places the towel more or less around the wound while setting the suture kit beside her on the bed. Figuring Tara could use it to wipe away whatever blood might still be oozing when she stitches her body.

Buffy turns to look at Tara as the Wiccan whimpers quietly as she shuts the door, having obviously turned to face the door after seeing her lying on the bed naked.

“Let me…” Tara waves her hand and hurries to the dresser, pulling a pair of her shorts out, figuring they’ll be easier to slide up the slayer’s body. Not thinking she could handle dealing with the slayer’s naked body while stitching the wound closed. The breasts she could handle, but looking at the slayer’s dark trimmed curls was a different matter.

“I would have thought it’d make me more uncomfortable than you to be like this.” Buffy quirks an eyebrow at the blushing blonde. “I mean, it isn’t like it’s anything you haven’t seen before.”

“I haven’t seen you before, Buffy.” Tara comments softly, her eyes darting up to the slayer’s hazel eyes. “And no matter who you are, I d-don’t think you w-want to be ogled while practically b-being on display.”

“I’ve never gotten that vibe from you, Tara.” Buffy offers quietly watching as Tara quickly slides the shorts up her body. Lifting her hips as Tara looks away as she slides them the rest of the way up. Seeing the questioning look in Tara’s eyes as the Wiccan looks up at her, Buffy sighs. “You don’t make me feel like a piece of meat being put on display, Tara. You were just helping a friend that’s in need.”

Tara blushes darker, but her own need for honesty has her shaking her head at the slayer. “Yes, I did it for a friend that needs help. But I have t-to b-be honest, Buffy.” Tara inhales deeply to try and get control of thoughts. “You’re a b-beautiful w-woman, Buffy. Plus you h-have that whole s-superhero thing g-going for you… Then there’s the fact that you’re a w-wonderful, c-caring person. Everyone’s f-fantasy. Men and w-women alike.” Tara admits quietly. “And I am very much a red-blooded Lesbian, Buffy.”

Buffy blinks in surprise at Tara’s admittance. Watching the Wiccan for a few long moments, Buffy finally chuckles softly. “So being a superhero does it for you, huh?” Buffy makes light of the Wiccan’s comment, trying to put Tara at ease while a part of her mind works on dissecting Tara’s words and coming up with questions and thoughts of her own.

Tara stares at Buffy for a few minutes in stunned shock. Slowly relaxing as she realizes Buffy isn’t going to become upset with her or freak out, Tara smiles uncertainly at the slayer. “I think it’s more the p-person than the superhero, but I won’t argue the point.” Looking at the suture kit, Tara opens the item and quickly prepares to stitch Buffy’s wound. “Are you ready?”

“Go ahead, Tara.” Buffy comments softly, closing her eyes as she tries to think about anything but the feeling of the needle piercing her stomach.

Tara quickly works on placing the stitches while gently wiping what blood was oozing from the slayer’s wound. Occasionally Tara glances up at the slayer, her eyes searching the woman’s countenance for any clue as to what she is thinking before going back to the task at hand. Quickly finishing the stitching, Tara gently wipes the slayer’s stomach again, frowning at the ribs showing and the smallness of the woman. Sighing quietly, Tara gathers the dirty towel and washcloth, gently laying them over the edge of the hamper before grabbing the bandages and tape.

Buffy watches Tara intently as the blonde Wiccan settles back down on the bed beside her and places the large bandage over her wound, gently taping it down. “Thank you, Tara.”

“You’re welcome.” Tara answers equally as soft. “Do you want to put the shirt on, or not worry about wearing it?” Tara questions after standing, turning the overhead light off before looking back at Buffy, swearing she sees an almost mischievous smile crossing the slayer’s face.

Buffy fights the smile trying to cross her face as she looks up into questioning blue eyes. “Depends.”

“On what?” Tara quirks an eyebrow at the slayer, having a feeling that Buffy’s going to say something to embarrass her.

“On whether or not you’re planning on doing some sleepy groping… I’d rather have the real thing than through the cloth.” Buffy waves a hand at her bare chest, before chuckling quietly as Tara’s face becomes beet red.

“I’m putting that comment down to the fact that the pain pills and loss of blood have made you loopy.” Tara mumbles as she turns off the light before hurrying around to the other side of the bed and easing under the covers. “Do you want the covers over you?” Tara questions as she grabs the covers that Buffy had flipped over to her side of the bed when she’d gotten into it.

“Please.” Buffy accepts the covers and tries to get comfortable, knowing she won’t be able to curl up like she did the night before, at least not without some pain involved.

Tara feels Buffy fidgeting beside her, silently waiting for Buffy to move closer to her. Turning on her side, Tara looks at the slayer in the dark room, the moonlight lighting the room enough for her to make out the slayer’s features. “Would you like me to come closer and hold you?” Tara finally questions quietly after a few minutes.

Buffy bites her lip even as her head nods slightly, not wanting to voice her wants and needs out loud, breathing a sigh of relief as Tara shifts closer to her and carefully wraps an arm around her waist while pressing her head gently against her shoulder. Moving her arm slightly, Buffy wraps it around Tara and closes her eyes as Tara moves closer against her, the Wiccan’s head nestling gently on her shoulder even as she feels the warm breath caressing over her upper chest.

Tara smiles as she feels Buffy relaxing and her breathing deepen noticeably as she quickly falls asleep. Allowing her lips to brush gently over Buffy’s upper chest, Tara wiggles slightly and slowly follows the slayer into a decent nights sleep.

***