A Witch In LA

Chapter 9

“Can I get you anything else, Cordy?” Tara asks softly after getting the woman some aspirin and juice. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, laying a cool cloth over her forehead.

“No, thanks.” Cordelia closes her eyes against the pain shooting through her head. Taking a brief breath she whispers out “I’m afraid I may have upset Faith earlier. I really didn’t mean to.”

“Shhh. It’s okay, Cordy.” Tara runs a gentle hand over her forehead, sending a soothing energy to the woman. “She’s okay. I think it upset her more that she mentioned what happened to me.”

“She didn’t give any details or anything if you were wondering.” Cordelia opens her eyes and looks into Tara’s calm blue eyes.

“She told me what she said.” Tara’s lip quirks up slightly. “She knows now that I’m not upset.”

Cordy chuckles then groans as it sends a pain shooting through her head. “Damn it was feeling better until I laughed.” Opening her eyes again a few moments later she looks into blue eyes. “I would say she definitely knows you’re not mad at her, if the screams coming from the room were anything to go by.” Cordy smirks slightly as she sees the slight blush cross Tara’s face before Tara laughs in acknowledgement.

“I guess that would be a dead give-a-way, wouldn’t it?” Tara shakes her head slightly. “We’ll definitely be moving to a different room tomorrow.”

“Don’t rush. Wesley turns this funny color then runs into another room whenever it happens. It’s quite entertaining.” Cordy smiles slightly.

Tara chuckles at first then laughs quietly. “Faith wouldn’t care. Hell, she’d probably be willing to put on a show just to irritate you guys.” Tara shakes her head blushing again, before opening her eyes wide. “Shit. I’ve been the one unconsciously leaving the doors open and she’s the one been running to shut them. Maybe you need to worry about me more than Faith.”

Cordy can’t help but chuckle at the look on the witch’s face. “Angel gave me an idea as to why that might be happening.” At the questioning lift of the witch’s eyebrow Cordelia smirks slightly. “Something about the soul mate thing. You two more or less sharing your personality traits is one of the side effects.”

Tara blinks a couple times thinking about it. “Hmm. That gives me something to seriously consider. If she’s learning some of my calmness, and I’m getting some of her bravado and attitude…” Tara trails off tilting her head slightly. “That might explain a few things.” Nodding her head she smiles slightly. “I think this will actually be a good thing for both of us.”

Cordelia smiles before patting Tara’s hand that was unconsciously still stroking her forehead. “My headache’s gone. You can stop the mojo now.”

Tara blinks and looks at Cordelia. “You know?”

Cordelia smiles slightly. “Yes. Thank you for your help.” Cordelia shifts in the bed to lay on her side, propping her head up and watching as Tara shifts to cross her legs up and rest her elbows on her knees. “You don’t have to answer or anything, but what brought you here to LA?”

Tara stops all movement for a moment before reaching down to pluck gently at the comforter. “Something happened that made it impossible for me to stay in Sunnydale.” Tara explains quietly.

“The question is, is what?” Cordelia questions shifting up to sit facing the witch.

Tara shakes her head looking down briefly before looking up and seeing the very real concern and worry in Cordelia’s eyes. Sighing quietly, Tara slowly explains everything that happened in Sunnydale with Willow.

Cordelia’s mouth dropped open at the beginning of the story and had never completely closed through the whole thing. At the end of the story she shakes her head and swallows quietly. “I don’t know what’s more shocking, the fact that Willow is gay or that she’s turned into an evil bitch.”

Tara looks up with surprise on her face. “She isn’t evil so much as addicted to the black magic. She can’t help it. I’m afraid something pretty earth shattering is going to have to happen for her to have some sense knocked into her.” Tara shrugs slightly before frowning. “She would actually be considered bi-sexual. She has been with a man, and she would probably be open to being with a man in the future.”

Cordelia waves her hand before stating “Whatever. I wouldn’t have thought she would have the balls to be out like that. Not little mousy Willow. Then you add the black magic woman into the mix and it’s just mind boggling.”

Tara sighs before dropping her face into her hands grumbling quietly to herself.

Cordelia thinks about what she’d said and groans quietly. “Tara, I’m sorry. It just kind of shocked me that the little redhead I grew up tormenting has changed so much. It just kind of sent me off on a tangent.”

“That’s okay, Cordelia.” Tara stops and tilts her head slightly before frowning deeply. “SHIT!” Tara jumps off the bed and runs out the door, followed quickly by a shocked Cordelia.

Tara runs down the stairs as Wes, helped by Gunn comes limping in with Angel helping Faith. “What happened?” Tara growls out running up to Faith reaching out a shaking hand to the bloodied and bruised slayer.

“There were six of the demons, not the three that Cordelia saw in the vision.” Wesley mutters before groaning as Gunn helps him sit down.

“Yeah, and they were some tough bastards.” Gunn growls out, before slowly working his way to the First Aid kit.

“Who’s hurt worse?” Tara murmurs while helping her lover sit down on one of the couches in the lobby, brushing the hair back away from the bruised face. “Love?” She whispers quietly.

“Help Gunn and Wes first.” Faith groans out quietly opening her one good idea seeing the worried look in her lovers blue eyes. “I’ll heal from my wounds faster, and I ain’t dyin’ so you should work on those two.”

Tara looks searchingly in her lovers eye before easing up and kissing her lightly on her forehead. Looking over to Angel she cocks her head. “Can you get her upstairs and into our bed. I’ll help out Gunn and Wes first. Are you going to be okay?”

Angel nods his head. “All I’ll need is probably a couple quarts of blood and some rest. I’ll be good in a day or two.” Angel reaches down and helps Faith stand “Come on, you’ve been ordered to bed.”

“Yeah, I heard.” Faith mutters quietly.

Tara starts unpacking the First Aid kit before turning to watch Angel help Faith up the stairs. “Please tell me you killed the demons.”

“All gone.” Faith nods towards her lover trying to smile slightly through her bloodied lip.

“Lay down and don’t fucking move until I tell you to.” Tara growls out watching Faith’s slow progress.

“Yes, mom.” Faith murmurs groaning as she put down too much weight on her twisted left ankle.

Cordelia looks stunned as she watches Angel help Faith up the stairs before turning to an obviously beat up Wesley and Gunn, but they were in a hell of a lot better shape than Faith. “What can I do. And how come Faith is so messed up?”

Gunn leans his head back and closes his eyes. “Because she saved our lives, is why. Her Sixth Sense kicked in when the other three demons snuck up behind us, she went after them herself as they were ready to attack me and Wes.”

Wes nods his head while grabbing out the alcohol, rubbing it over a cut on his own chest, cleaning it before pressing a bandage on it, taping it down as he watches Tara cut the shirt off Gunn, probing his ribs gently.

“I think you’ve got a couple broken ribs, Charles.” Tara looks up with worried eyes. “It doesn’t look like they punctured a lung, but I should strap them up for you.”

Gunn nods his head before looking down smiling slightly. “You sure you wanna stick with the slayer? I could use you around.”

Tara smirks up at Gunn “Sorry, but you’re a little too firm in certain places.” Tara pokes gently at his pecs. “I like a little more softness.”

Gunn chuckles, then groans at the pain from his side. “Don’t make me laugh, witch.”

“Sorry, Charles.” Tara smiles apologetically at the man before reaching around for the Ace bandages. “Can you lean forward so I can tape up your ribs?” Tara watches as Gunn leans forward slightly and she works at gently wrapping the bandages around Gunn. Glancing over at Wes, Tara watches as Cordelia cuts his pants away from the wound on his calf. “Do you need any help, Cordelia?”

“I’ve got it.” Cordelia glances up smiling slightly. “I think Faith got the worse of it.”

“I’m good.” Gunn smiles as Tara finishes bandaging his ribs. “Go take care of Faith.”

Angel comes slowly down the stairs “I got her lying in your bed. I took her socks and shoes off, but I didn’t think you’d want me taking the rest of her clothes off….” Angel trails off frowning “She kind of passed out, but I think she’ll be okay.”

Tara pales at Angels comment. “I need to probably get some ice and the bigger First Aid kit.” Tara jumps up running down towards the kitchen.

Cordelia frowns before heading quickly into the break room grabbing the big First Aid kit. Walking back out she watches as Tara comes jogging back through with a bucket of ice.

“Thanks Cordy.” Tara whispers as she grabs the kit from the woman before heading quickly up the stairs and to Faith.

“Is Faith going to be okay?” Cordelia questions Angel as he walks closer to them.

“She’s tough. She’s a Slayer. She’s pretty banged up but she should be fine in a week or so.” Angel answers quietly.

“She better be. I don’t want to have a very seriously pissed off witch around here.” Cordelia mutters before kneeling back down to finish bandaging up Wes’ leg. “There you go Wes. Do either one of you need anything else? Hurt anywhere else?”

Wes and Gunn both shake their heads. “Just need to head to the room. Sleep in” Gunn grunts out quietly as he slowly stands, clasping his ribs. “I’ll go run out and get breakfast in the morning. I have a feeling the witch won’t be cooking for a while.”

Angel shakes his head. “No, I wouldn’t think she will. Dig out the take-out menus guys.” Angel heads down to the kitchen to grab some blood to take back to his apartment.


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

Tara closes the door to their room gently seeing Faith lying on her bed, she feels her heart skip a beat at the wounded slayer. “Oh, love.” Tara cries out quietly before quickly walking to the bed, setting the kit on the bed while putting the ice on the nightstand. Looking at her lovers ripped and bloody clothes she shakes her head and opens the kit, pulling out the scissors to gently cut the clothes away from her body.

“Sorry about the clothes. We’ll get you a new pair of leather pants when you feel up to it.” Tara whispers more to herself than the slayer. Reaching up to brush the hair from Faith’s face she frowns running a gentle hand down her bruised cheek. “What did you do to yourself? Am I going to have to out with you from now on to make sure you’re okay?” Sighing quietly Tara walks into the bathroom and runs warm water over a couple wash rags and grabs a towel before heading back into the bedroom.

Gently easing to sit beside Faith, Tara gently washes the dried blood off the slayer’s body. Seeing the numerous cuts and bruises Tara scowls. Seeing that some of the cuts were already trying to heal she growls and grabs out the rubbing alcohol to quickly clean the wounds. “Don’t need you to get an infection because these damn things heal up before I have a chance to clean them.” Double checking the slayers front, she gently rolls her over on her stomach and checks out her back, breathing a sigh of relief when she doesn’t see any wounds or bruises on her back. Gently easing her onto her back again, Tara gently runs her fingers over the slayer’s body, feeling a couple broken ribs and what looks like possible internal damage. Frowning heavily, Tara takes a deep breath and prays to the Goddess to help Faith. Praying and sending as much healing energy as she has into the slayer, hoping that it will do some good. Unfortunately knowing that healing is definitely not her strong point, Tara makes a mental note to work heavily on strengthening her healing ability. Finally giving as much as she has she pulls her hands away softly smiling to see the lessening in the bruises. Pressing her fingers gently against the slayer’s stomach, she sighs in relief as it gives properly this time. “Never thought I’d be glad to know as much about the human anatomy as I do.” Tara whispers quietly thinking about her own abuse, learning what was serious and what wasn’t.

Slowly working her way down the rest of her lover’s body, she doesn’t feel anything else damaged. Remembering her limping slightly, Tara looks again at the ankles and sees her left ankle swollen slightly. Grabbing a small hand towel, Tara puts some of the ice in it before grabbing an Ace bandage. Gently wrapping the ice around her ankle, Tara wraps the bandage around it to keep it in place. Working back to her ribs, Tara shifts her up and gently slides her body behind Faith’s to help prop her up while slowly wrapping her ribs. Gently lying her back down she puts more ice in a couple of the wash cloths. Grabbing another small Ace bandage, she places the ice on the slayer’s ribs and tucks the ace bandage into the ones wrapped around her ribs. Gently shifting it to make sure it will stay put, Tara sighs before standing up to get a blanket from the drawer to gently drape across the slayer’s body before sitting back down beside her lover and placing the other ice-laden cloth gently on the slayer’s cheek and eye. Running her other hand through Faith’s hair, she smiles softly as she hears the slayer moan quietly.

“You’ll be okay, love.” Tara quietly whispers to Faith. “Just rest. If you’re a good girl I’ll fix you the biggest omelet you’ve ever seen for breakfast.”

Faith slowly opens her eye smiling slightly. “Do I get hash browns with that omelet?”

Tara’s eyes lighten and she smiles at Faith. “Two dozen egg omelet with sausage, bacon, ham, tomato’s, green peppers, cheese oozing from it. A plate full of nice crispy hash browns and a dozen home made biscuits. I might even bring you up a pot of coffee and some orange juice, also.”

“Sounds good.” Faith murmurs watching Tara. “Sorry about being fucked up.”

Tara shakes her head and shifts her body so she’s leaning over Faith, but not touching her anywhere but where’s she’s holding the ice to her face. “You’ll be fine. You did worry me, though.” Tara swallows heavily. “Want me to get you some pain killers and juice?”

Faith concentrates on her body, noticing that her ribs and stomach already feel a hundred percent better than they had before. “You helped my ribs and internals, didn’t you?”

“As much as I could. I think the Goddess took pity on you and helped me out somewhat.” Tara smiles crookedly at her lover. “Do you want anything?”

Faith nods her head slightly. “I am thirsty. I’m hungry also, but I probably shouldn’t eat much of anything right now.”

“I can run downstairs and bring you up a pitcher of juice and water to drink. Maybe make you some toast with butter and a little bit of jam to eat?” Tara offers quietly before leaning down and placing a kiss gently on the slayer’s lips before pulling back running a finger lightly over the split on her bottom lip.

“Would you mind?” Faith questions after Tara pulls away from the feather light kiss.

“Never.” Tara whispers. “Do you want anything else?”

Faith shakes her head gently. “That’ll be wonderful.”

Tara smiles gently. “Let me look under the ice.” Tara gently pulls the wash cloth away looking at her lover’s face, seeing the swelling has started going down, but was still very bruised and swollen. Gently placing it back on her cheek, she looks in Faith’s good eye. “Can you hold this to your face while I run downstairs?”

“Of course.” Faith’s lip slides up slightly. “Thank you, babe.”

“You’re welcome love.” Tara whispers as she quickly stands up, gathering the kit and placing it on the table before hesitating at the door. “Do you need anything else?”

“No, that’ll be good.” Faith hoarsely calls out.

Tara nods as she slides out of the room and hurries down the stairs to gather up the items for Faith.

*******
Tara quickly places everything on a large tray, grabbing more ice before she quickly heads back upstairs to their bedroom. Juggling the tray carefully, she opens the door and walks in, pushing it closed with her hip smiling softly as she see’s Faith has shifted herself more towards the middle of the bed.

Faith looks up when she hears the door open and smirks at her witch. Placing the almost completely melted rag over in the ice bucket, Faith reaches down, feeling the ice almost melted on her ribs, also.

“I’ll take care of that.” Tara quickly crosses to the bed, setting the tray on the bed gently, she hands the slayer a piece of toast. “Here, eat this while I get some more ice fixed for you.” Tara turns and looks in the other ice bucket, seeing a small amount. Quickly squeezing the water out of the wrap, she packs the rest of the ice before grabbing the other bucket to put more in it. Walking around the bed to gently ease the other cloth and melted ice from the slayer’s ribs while replacing it with the ice in her hands. Walking back around she grabs a glass of juice and helps prop the slayer up so she can drink. Tara smiles softly as she watches her drain the glass. “Do you want some more juice?”

“Please.” Faith groans out.

Tara helps hold her up while grabbing the pillows to prop her up so she can drink and eat easier. Grasping the glass from Faith, she pours more orange juice in it and hands it to the slayer. Walking down to the end of the bed, Tara unwraps the Ace bandage and pulls the wet cloth away from the ankle, seeing the swelling’s gone, she smiles. Walking back up she grabs another dry towel and Ace bandage before drying the slayer’s ankle and wrapping it up. Placing the towel on the bed where the ice had melted and soaked the comforter, Tara covers the slayer’s legs with the blanket.

Faith curiously watches as the witch continues checking her wounds and helping her. Reaching forward the slight distance, she grabs another piece of toast munching it quickly.

Tara carefully sits down watching as Faith makes short work of the toast. Filling the glass with the last of the juice, Tara hands it to Faith along with a couple pain pills.

Faith looks at the pain pills placed in her hand to Tara and back again.

“Take them Faith. Make me feel better that you might get a couple hours of sleep.” Tara runs a hand gently across Faith’s blanket covered thigh.

Faith frowns before quickly popping them in her mouth and swallowing them down with the rest of her juice. Finally allowing her body to give in, Faith looks up at Tara. “I think I’m about ready to crash.”

“That’s all right, love.” Tara grabs the glass from the slayer, placing it on the tray, Tara stands and moves the tray to the table before walking back to the bed, removing the pillows propping Faith up and helping her to gently lie back down on the bed. “Sleep love.”

“Want you here.” Faith indicates her good side with a tired wave of her hand.

“Do you need another blanket?” Tara questions and at Faith’s shake of the head, she slowly strips her clothes off before easing under the blanket to lay beside the slayer, keeping a small distance between her body and Faiths.

Faith closes her good eye as she feels her limbs getting heavier. “Closer.” She whispers wrapping an arm around the witch urging her closer as she falls asleep.

“I love you.” Tara whispers before gently pressing her body against the slayer’s side and gently easing her arm low across the slayer’s stomach, away from her hurt body, snuggling into her shoulder and sighing quietly. “I need you to be more careful in the future, love. I don’t know how much of you being hurt, my heart can handle.”

Tara silently lies there beside the slayer gently stroking her fingers over the woman’s lower abdomen, quietly watching Faith sleep. Softly kissing the strong shoulder, Tara smiles sadly. “Anything you want, if it’s within my power I’ll give it to you.” Tara whispers quietly. “You already have my heart, soul and body. I thought I knew love, but I was so, so wrong.” Tara places another kiss on the shoulder before shifting in more comfortably against the slayer and slowly falling asleep.


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