Fic: Witchy Woman B/W, F/T NC-17

["Wolf MacLeod" <rpjmacleod@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hey all, I hope you enjoy this...there may be more parts to this
eventually...I'm not sure, but I enjoyed writing it immensely, so who
knows?

Title: Witchy Woman

Authors: Rick MacLeod, Tara Lynn MacLeod and Faith Alana Alastair

Pairing: Faith/Tara, Buffy/Willow

Rating: NC-17

Summary: Faith meets Tara before Willow does. Set around the beginning
of S4, leading into and beyond Hush.

Spoilers: Anything before and including Hush, in S4

Disclaimer: Genius: (gēn-yüs) n: Someone who is the best in their
field; Someone who has knowledge beyond the comprehension of his
peers; Joss Whedon. 

Author's Notes: Faith doesn't go bad in our world&and Tara's gonna
keep it that way. This is inspired by the song "Witchy Woman," written
and performed by the Eagles, also inspired by "Black Magic Woman" sang
by Santana, lyrics by Carlos Santana. Contains a "Hush" re-write.

Feedback: Always, baby!

Distribution: Want... Ask... Have. Archived at
http://rickmacleod.bravehost.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Faith walked around downtown after patrol; she wasn't sure where she
was going. She ducked into the Espresso Pump and sat down on a comfy
looking chair in the corner. She was halfway through her latte when a
small voice came from above. 

"I-is this seat t-taken?" 

Faith looked up and was taken by golden blonde hair and big, blue
eyes. Smiling genuinely for the first time in
she-wasn't-sure-how-long, Faith gestured to the empty seat next to
her. "Have a seat, beautiful." 

The blonde sat gracefully, tucking her feet underneath her. She
smoothed the broomstick skirt she was wearing while blushing and
tilting her head forward to hide her face behind the golden locks.
"T-thanks, I've never s-seen you here."

Faith shrugged. "I get around." 

The girl nodded. "I-I'm new, myself. I go to UC S-sunnydale?" She made
it sound like a question. "I'm Tara."

Faith leaned over, offering her hand to the girl, "Faith."

Tara took Faith's hand and shook it, surprised by its strength, "It's
nice to meet you." She took a sip of her Chai latte and put it on the
table, picking up her bag.

"It's kinda late for you to be out, isn't it? I mean&" Faith trailed
off, unsure of what to say. 

Tara nodded, rushing to finish Faith's sentence for her. "I know&I
mean, I noticed this place isn't what people tend to think, is it?"
Tara smiled, quickly reading Faith's aura and knowing she was in no
danger from the sexy brunette.

Faith's eyes widened and she took a chug of the now cold coffee to
hide her surprise. "Whatcha mean by that?" 

Tara opened a psychology book and pulled out a highlighter. "Well,
it's just&I mean, you'd probably think I'm crazy."

Faith put down her empty cup. "Try me, Blondie. You'd be surprised by
what I'd believe." 

Tara drained the rest of her tea and placed her empty cup next to
Faith's. "Well, it's just I noticed a lot of magick floating around
this town."

Faith stood up, motioning to the counter. "Can I buy ya a drink?"
Faith grinned, emphasizing the double meaning. "We can talk about it
over coffee."

Tara giggled. "Sure, thanks. You don't think I'm crazy?"

Faith noted the stutter's disappearance and smiled to herself, "No,
Cutie, I don't think you're crazy."

Faith waited at the counter, her eyes constantly drawn to the pretty
blonde in the corner. Tara wasn't the sort of girl Faith usually went
for; she wasn't Angelina Jolie or anything, but she had this beauty
and light Faith couldn't stop herself from falling into. Tall and
awkward, with a couple of extra in all the right places, she had a
certain grace about her. `And grace,' she thought, `is something I
could use in my life about now.'

Tara tapped her highlighter on the edge of her book, watching the
athletic brunette walk to the counter. Tight leather pants hugged her
sensual curves like a second skin. She bit her lip, smiling to
herself. She was a bit shy around new people, but flirting always
brought out the best in her. She watched as Faith ordered then brought
two oversized mugs back to the table, her biceps tense and showing
through the tank top she wore.  Accepting the beverage, Tara took a
sip and placed her cup on the table, highlighting another passage in
her textbook.

Faith looked over Tara's shoulder as she moved in front of her to sit
down. "You've highlighted damn near the whole page, Gorgeous."

Tara blushed and tilted forward in her seat, her hair falling in front
of her face. "I didn't r-realize." 

Faith grinned as the realization of what was distracting the shy
college student hit her. "Well, what were we saying? You said there
was a lot of magic in the town. Whatcha mean by that?"

Tara capped her pen and picked up her mug, cradling it in her hands.
"Well, there seems to be and you'll think I'm crazy, but there seems
to be a lot of demon activity here."

Faith leaned back, propping her feet up on the table in front of them.
"Nah, I don't think you're crazy. You're right." 

Tara almost choked on the sip of tea she was taking. "I-I'm right?"

Faith took a small gulp of her own drink, "Yeah, demons, vampires& You
know the deal."

Tara's eyes widened. This couldn't be the mythical Slayer her mother
told her about when she was a girl. But then again, she thought, this
woman was beautiful, strong and her aura suggested power. It was
possible. "How do you know about vampires and demons?"

Faith shrugged, taking another sip and said around the rim of her mug,
"Easy. I kill `em."

Tara's eyes widened. Not only was this woman gorgeous, she was The
Slayer. And she was talking to her. Tara MacLay. "Are you sure you
should be talking to me about this?"

Faith looked over at her, her big brown eyes glinting with some
amusement. "I know about you, it's okay. You're a witchy woman."

Tara giggled in spite of herself, "Like the song?" Tara thought about
the lyrics and shook her head, "No, I don't fit that." 

Faith screwed her eyes upward and thought. Looking back at Tara, she
conceded. "You're right, Babe. You don't have raven hair, but you do
have ruby lips." Faith subconsciously licked hers.

Tara blushed deeply and looked at her lap. She was very much liking
flirting with this beautiful woman, but she thought she might be out
of her league. Faith was The Slayer, after all. 

Tara was about to say something to change the subject when the girl
from behind the counter walked over. "We're about to close, girls."

Faith looked up and smiled at her, "No problem, Claire, we're outta
here. You need a walk home?" Faith chuckled at a joke Tara missed the
meaning of.

Claire looked down at Faith skeptically. "Oh yeah, sure; I'll let you
know." She chuckled and walked away. 

Faith rose from her seat and held her hand out to Tara, "What about
you, Beautiful?"

Tara gathered her books and took the offered hand, reveling in its
strength, "S-sure."

Faith held the door open as Tara stepped through it onto the street.
"So, you live in the dorms on campus?" Faith fell into step beside her.

Tara nodded, jumping up and down on the inside at being walked home by
The Slayer. "Y-yeah, on the north side, near the psychology building."

"Turner Hall?" Faith twirled a stake and looked over at Tara.

Tara nodded, "D-do you know someone there?" She fiddled with the
zipper on her sweatshirt, suddenly nervous.

"Nah, a friend of mine knew someone rooming there."

"Oh," Tara gulped, trying to center herself. She stole a glance at
Faith in her leather jacket and blushed, thinking of how she'd like to
get Faith out of it.

Faith noticed the blush and smiled to herself, walking with the blonde
Wiccan in silence for the time being. As they approached the building,
Faith noticed Tara get more and more nervous. "You okay, T?"

Tara looked over at Faith, then back down at the sidewalk. "Oh. Yeah,
I-I'm fine," Tara took a deep breath, her hair hiding her deepening
color and said, "Doyouwanttocomeupstairswithme?"

Faith's eyes grew wide as Tara's question dawned on her. "I dunno, T.
I mean, I wouldn't want you to regret something tomorrow."

Tara thought this over for a moment then looked at Faith, her demeanor
suddenly changing, "I won't."

Faith looked the blonde in front of her up and down, thinking. She was
not opposed to the idea of going upstairs, bringing Tara to the brink
of ecstasy and beyond and even staying for breakfast& She just wasn't
sure if any of that was what Tara had in mind. "If you're sure, then
I'd love to." Faith smiled a million-dollar smile and smirked to
herself when Tara almost weakened at the knees. 

Tara threw a look towards Faith that said, "Good, that's settled
then," spun on her heel and directed her full attention to the lock on
the dorm building. Gaining access, she and Faith walked up the short
flight of stairs to the second floor and Tara unlocked the two mundane
and one magickal lock on the door to her room and turned the knob.

Faith followed Tara into her dorm room and looked around, taking in
the sparse but tasteful, almost earthy decorations. She saw a queen
size bed in the center and lace shawls in several colors on the walls.
Incense burners were scattered around; they were placed almost
haphazardly on top of bookshelves crammed with school textbooks and
Wiccan tomes. She noticed the altar off to one side, against the wall,
ritual tools placed with care on top and the cat carrier in the
corner. "You have a cat?" She watched as Tara picked up some clothes
and tossed them in the closet.

Tara nodded, closing the door behind her, "Her name is Miss Kitty
Fantastico and she's around here somewhere." She turned on the coffee
maker on the desk and pulled out a couple of mugs, "Would you like
some tea? I don't have coffee, sorry." 

Faith smiled. She was definitely beginning to like this girl, although
she couldn't figure out just why. "Sure, that'd be great." She sat on
the edge of the bed, watching Tara pour boiling water over tea bags.
Tara strode back across the room, her skirt swishing around her feet
and handed a cup to Faith as she sat next to her.

Faith sipped the herbal tea and a small black and white kitten jumped
into her lap mewling for attention. "Hey, Little Chica, are you
lookin' to play?" Faith stroked the cat's whiskers, chuckling as she
bit her fingers. "She's adorable, T."

Tara smiled and reached over to pet the kitten also, "Isn't she? I
found her in the hallway one morning. I performed a ritual, checking
for abnormal energies and when I realized she was just a cute kitten,
I took her in."

Faith snickered, "Wow, you really are in the know about this place."
She stroked the kitten's back, her fingers intertwining with Tara's.

Tara giggled to herself, suddenly slightly giddy, "Well, you can't be
too careful. The last thing I'd want is for my cat to turn me into a
vampire." She swallowed silently and ran her fingers over the back of
Faith's hand.

Faith enjoyed the feeling of Tara's hand on hers for a moment,
deciding the best course of action. Then, she did something that she'd
never done before. "Tara?"

Tara smiled and hummed a response, "Hmm?"

"Tara, can I kiss you?" Faith felt herself blush at the request in
spite of herself. Slayers don't ask. But somehow, she'd have felt
wrong doing anything else.

"I'd like that." Tara looked at Faith for the briefest of moments
before closing her eyes and surrendering to the lips that slowly,
gently, closed over her own.

Faith leaned over and parting her lips ever so slightly, closed them
over Tara's. She kneaded Tara's full lips with her own, pressing them
together, slowly, sweetly. She felt Tara gasp before she heard it and
gently she slipped her tongue between Tara's teeth. Both women reached
down in unison, placing their cups on the floor before winding their
hands around each other and through the other's hair. They deepened
the kiss, Faith reaching around Tara to caress her back and Tara
responded in kind, stroking the slayer's sides.

After some time, both women parted, their lungs demanding air. Tara
blushed, but did not stutter, "That was nice."

Faith blushed as well, never having had a kiss as passionate, nor as
gentle as this one had been. "It really was." Catching a glimpse of
Tara's alarm clock, she noticed they'd been kissing for almost a half
an hour, "I should probably go - it's getting late."

Tara tried to hide her disappointment. "You don't have to. You could
stay if you like."

Faith looked the witch in the eyes. "I'd honestly love to, but I need
to patrol some more before I go home." Her eyes told Tara that she was
telling the truth.

Tara nodded, "I hate to be stereotypical, but can I see you again?"
Mentally she crossed her fingers.

Faith smiled brightly, "I'd really like that. I don't know what it is
about you, Blondie, but you seem to bring out the best in me."

Tara walked Faith to the door and after receiving a short but sweet
peck on the lips, closed the door, re-setting the locks.
													

Faith walked through the cemetery, feeling like she was on top of the
world. It had been a week since the night she met Tara and she'd seen
the blonde witch almost every day. She hadn't told her best friends,
Buffy and Willow yet. They had enough to deal with, what with their
budding relationship. She crouched down low, hearing Buffy shout to
her and a vampire sailed over her head. She jogged over to him and
staked him easily. Turning, she saw another and punched him, sending
him reeling. Buffy stepped behind him, brandishing her stake and
thrusting it into his back.

"Nice one." Buffy clapped her fellow slayer on the back. She stuck her
stake in her waistband and they continued to walk. "So what's been up
with you? I haven't seen you in almost a week."

Faith blushed slightly and toyed with the stake in her hands, "I've
been seeing someone."

Buffy's eyes widened, "Really? Come on, spill."

Faith took a breath and looked over at her friend, then began, "Well,
I met this girl at the coffee shop a couple nights ago. Her name's Tara."

Buffy looked as though her eyes would pop out of her head, "A girl?
Awesome!" She bounced around and giggled at Faith.

Faith smiled and shrugged, slightly embarrassed, but pleased all the
same. "She's a witch. Her room's stuffed with books on Wicca."

Buffy calmed a little. "Be careful Faith, you don't want to end up in
a dangerous situation."

"It's cool, B. Tara's a good witch." Faith nudged her sister slayer
and pointed to a couple of vampires walking at the edge of the
cemetery. Buffy nodded and they separated, each one circling around
the vamps in the opposite direction. Faith crouched down low behind a
tombstone and Buffy jumped out in front of the vampires.

"Now, now, what are you crazy kids doing out at this time of night? I
think I'm going to have to call your Sires." She threw out a
roundhouse kick at one of them, sending him sailing over the tombstone
Faith was hiding behind. She reached down and staked him, hearing the
`poof' as he turned to dust. She placed her hands on top of the stone,
vaulting herself over it, to crouch and sweep the legs out of a female
vampire dressed in fashions from the 60's.

"I dunno, B. I think these might be the Sires," Faith chuckled and
dodged a punch from the recovered vamp. "After all, these ain't
exactly new threads." Her head snapped back as the follow-up punch
connected with her jaw. She whipped her head back around and threw a
powerful right cross, snapping the neck of her opponent. Twirling her
stake in her hand, she thrust it down into the vampire's chest.

"Hmm& could be." Buffy kicked out to her left and sent one sailing,
punching the other in the stomach. "This one looks like my old math
teacher." Grimacing, Faith watched as Buffy finished off the two
vampires. "Ugh, I smell like a vampire, Willow's gonna stake me."

Faith gingerly touched her jaw and then spoke without moving her
mouth. "Dan, Eee. I thin' I `roke my yaw."

"Oh, shit, really?" She examined the dark slayer's face. "Yep, looks
like. We're gonna have to go to the hospital."

Faith groaned and rolled her eyes. "I was `uffosed to `eet with T."

"Gimme your phone, I'll have her meet us at the hospital." Faith
handed over the cell phone and Buffy scrolled through the phone book.

"It's on s'eed dial. Nummer 2," Faith kicked at a tombstone.

Buffy pressed the buttons and listened to the other end ring.

"Hello?" Tara's voice sounded clear and pleasant.

"Hi. Um, Tara? My name's Buffy, I'm a friend of Faith's." Buffy
giggled at Faith trying to curse.

"This is Tara. Hi Buffy, is there anything wrong?" Tara sounded concerned.

"Yeah, actually, Faith uh, that is, I need to take her to the
hospital." Buffy fumbled for what to say.

Faith rolled her eyes again and grabbed the phone from Buffy. "T?
`Aith. I gotta go hos'ital. `Roke yaw."

"Oh my Goddess, Faith, I'll meet you there. Are you alright?" Tara
began to walk around the small dorm room gathering her things.

"I okay. Kinda `issed off," Faith's eyes shined, her broken jaw
forgotten, listening to Tara talk to her.

"Good. I'll meet you in the emergency room." Tara picked up her keys.
"See you later."

"'Kay. Later." Faith pressed the button to end the call and handed the
phone back to Buffy. "Call Will." She nodded her head in the direction
of downtown. "Walk."

Buffy dialed her home and the slayers began walking towards the
hospital. "Hello, Wills?" Buffy said as soon as Willow answered the phone.

"Uh huh." Willow sounded as if she was still asleep.

"I've gotta take Faith to the hospital, a vamp broke her jaw." Buffy
bit her lip, thinking about how cute Willow sounded when she was
half-asleep.

Willow sat up in bed. "She okay? I'll meet you guys down there."

Buffy nodded to the phone. "She's pissed as all hellmouth, but she'll
be okay. Yeah, meet us there."

Willow got up, pulling on a pair of jeans. "Okay. See you there." She
hung up, grabbed Buffy's house keys from her desk and walked out of
Buffy's bedroom and downstairs, grabbing a crossbow before heading out
into the street.

Buffy and Faith walked into the hospital emergency room and Tara
jumped up, running over to them. "Are you okay, Faith?" Tara inspected
her jaw lightly. Faith nodded and went over to the desk to check in.
Watching her go, Tara turned to Buffy. "How did it happen?" She
fiddled with her purse strings, her eyes on Faith.

Buffy fumbled, unsure of what to say. "Uh, she got into a bar fight?"
Buffy squeaked, making it sound like a question.

Tara's gaze turned to Buffy and she smiled, as if they shared a secret
joke. "Slaying, huh? She'll be okay."

Buffy's jaw dropped open and she watched Tara go to sit next to Faith.
She recovered and turned when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

Willow smiled at the blonde slayer. "Is Faith okay, Buff?" She put her
arms around her girlfriend and hugged her, waving at Faith.

"She'll be alright. She won't be able to talk or kiss for a couple of
days, but she'll be fine." She kissed Willow lightly, glad she wasn't
the one whose jaw was about to be wired shut. "Come on, I need to call
Giles."



An hour later, the four girls walked outside to Tara's car. Faith was
groaning and mumbling through the wires. She punched at the air and
got into the front passenger seat.

Tara got into the driver's seat and turned to Faith. "Do you want to
spend the night at my room?"

Buffy and Willow got in the back seat as Tara asked her question.
Faith nodded and Buffy chuckled.

Faith glared at Buffy in the rear view mirror and hunched down in her
seat, defeated.

Tara twisted in her seat to look at Buffy. "What did Faith's watcher say?"

Buffy stared at Tara. "Okay, spill. How do you know what we are? And
what do you mean, Faith's watcher?"

Tara smiled. "I knew Faith was the Slayer the moment I met her&" She
reached over and took Faith's hand and Faith's eyes smiled. "I read
her&oh my." Tara narrowed her eyes at Buffy. "T-there's two of you?"

Willow grinned. "Yep, there're two slayers. And two witches now. Yay,
we each have one!"

Tara's thumb stroked the top of Faith's hand idly as she backed out of
the parking lot. "So, where to?" She looked at Faith and then back at
Buffy and Willow. "How about we go get Faith a milkshake and a straw?
We can talk more about all of this." The comment, said by anyone else,
would have sounded like a jab, but Tara's honest tone simply sounded
concerned.

Buffy looked at Willow, who was practically bouncing, having met
another witch. "Sure, I know an all-night diner on the edge of town
that's almost completely, er, demon-free." Buffy's voice betrayed her
unease at being completely candid about her calling.

Tara seemed not to notice. "Sure, just direct me." She pulled onto the
expressway. She glanced over at Faith. "You okay? I imagine it'll be
fine in a few days."

Faith nodded. "I'm okay," she managed around the wires. "Shouldn't
talk much, though." She nodded again for emphasis. 

Tara also nodded. "Right, sorry." She pulled into the diner parking
lot and turned off the car. She turned to Buffy and Willow. "Go ahead
in, we'll catch up."

Buffy smiled at Tara and got out, putting her arm around Willow's
waist as they walked into the restaurant.

Tara took her keys out of the ignition and turned to face Faith. "Just
nod yes or no, there's no reason for you to be in pain, but I have to
know if you're okay with me hanging out with you and your friends like
this."

Faith nodded emphatically, her eyes saying more than words could. She
worked her lips, frustrated that lips and tongue alone could not form
the words she wanted. 

Tara leaned over; her lips crushed Faith's and Faith felt just a hint
of Tara's tongue flick over her lips. Then Tara turned to get out of
the car. Faith chuckled and shook her head, following Tara into the diner.

Willow laughed at Buffy as they sat down in a booth to wait for the
other Slayer/Wiccan pair to join them. "You look like you're going to
have an aneurysm, Buff."

"Well, how am I supposed to feel? This chick not only knows about
Faith, but me and you, too. She knows about our calling and
everything. Giles is gonna flip."

"I dunno, Buff, I mean, maybe there's some kind of prophecy or
something. Like, when two slayers meet two witches they'll all live
happily ever after& or something."

Tara chuckled as she slid into the booth opposite Buffy and Willow.
"That sounds like my kind of prophecy."

Faith nodded so hard it looked like her head would bounce off her
neck, "Uh-huh."

After the four women had ordered, the talk turned serious. "So how did
you find out about Faith's calling, Tara?" Willow asked around a sip
of water.

Tara snuggled into Faith as the dark slayer put her arm around her.
"Well, my mother was a witch and so were her mother and grandmother.
I've always known about the Slayer and the mythology surrounding her,
but I had no idea she was real until I met Faith." Tara swallowed
silently and nodded towards Buffy. "And now you; I didn't realize
there could be more than one."

"Neither did all of us, `till it happened." Willow babbled happily.
"What did Giles say about Faith's jaw, Buffy?"

Buffy broke out of her reverie. "What? Oh. I haven't told him yet. I
mean, it's just a broken jaw, she'll be cool in a week. I figured we'd
let him figure it out for himself tomorrow morning."

Faith tried to laugh, but moaned instead, the pain hitting her. She
rubbed her cheeks and looked up at the waitress gratefully as she
placed a triple-thick strawberry-chocolate milkshake in front of her
and handed her a straw. Faith grinned at her, showing off the metal
wiring.

Tara chuckled at the waitress' hasty retreat and munched on a french
fry. "So how did you guys find out? About there being more than one
slayer, I mean."

Buffy took a bite of her double cheeseburger and replied, her mouth
full. "I died."

Tara's eyes widened, but she didn't say anything.

Faith rolled her eyes once more, sipping her shake and no one said
anything for a few minutes.

Finally, Willow broke the silence. "It was only for a minute. Buffy
drowned and our friend Xander did CPR. It was enough though, for
another slayer to be called."

Tara nodded, "And that was Faith?"

Buffy shook her head, swallowing a gulp of her soda. "No, her name was
Kendra. But she didn't last too long." Buffy took a deep breath,
looking with uncharacteristic disgust at the remains of her meal in
front of her. "Vamp named Drusilla."

Tara's eyes widened once more and looked nervously at Faith, perhaps
realizing what it could cost her to love the dark slayer.

Faith sensed Tara's unease and leaned over a little, rubbing her cheek
in the witch's blonde tresses. "Re'ax, baby. Just a broken yaw;
Slayers are made of sterner stuff."

Buffy nodded fervently, her own dirty-blonde locks bouncing, "So
you're a witch, huh? All with the magicks?"

Willow giggled and nodded, "I've studied too, but nothing big." Willow
took a sip of her own milkshake and her eyes widened. "I did almost
get burned at the stake, though."

Not sure if she wanted to know the story of that one, Tara remained
silent and looked over at Faith, fervently sucking on her straw. She
reached into her purse and pulled out a vial she brought from home.
"Faith, do you want something for the pain?"

Faith shook her head. "Don't like taking pills and junk."

Tara shook her head, "It's not chemical. I brought some Valerian
tincture. A couple drops in your milkshake, will take the edge off."

Faith nodded and Tara took the stopper out of the bottle, using an
eyedropper to administer the drug. Faith continued to suck at her
milkshake and Tara put the vial away, "I should get you home, though.
It will make you quite sleepy."

Faith nodded, already showing signs of fatigue and Buffy nodded her
own head. "Yeah, we should get home too; I don't want my mom to worry.
I mean, she knew I was going out patrolling, but it's kind of late
now, even for me."

Tara took out her wallet and signaled the waitress for the check and
the four women paid the bill and walked out to the car. "I'll drive
you guys home, but you need to tell me where you live."

"Revello Drive," Buffy said gratefully. "It's near the high school.
I'll show you where."

Tara pulled up to the Summers' residence and Buffy and Willow got out.
"Thanks Tara, we appreciate it."

Tara smiled and gently shook the sleeping slayer in the passenger
seat. "No problem guys. Faith? Wake up, hon. Buffy and Willow are
saying goodnight; do you want to grab some clothes?"

Faith slowly opened her eyes and nodded, getting out of the car and
walking into the house with Buffy and Willow. She came out a few
minutes later, with Wiccan and Slayer in tow, to say goodnight. Faith
got in the car and smiled at her friends. "Night B." She reached out
of her window and squeezed Buffy's hand. "Thanks."

Buffy smiled and waved as she and Willow walked up the front walkway.

Tara pulled into a parking space near her dorm building and shut the
engine. Faith turned in her seat, facing Tara and smiled carefully,
"Thanks T. I appreciate this."

Tara smiled at Faith and reached out to take her hand, "Your welcome,
sweetie, but you don't have to thank me. That's what girlfriends are for."

Faith nodded and leaned forward, pressing her lips to the Wicca's.
Tara kissed her back. "Damn wires," Tara said around the Dark Slayer's
lips, chuckling slightly. "Come on, let's get you to bed."

Faith nodded again and got out of the car, slinging her bag over her
shoulder and following Tara into the building, suddenly and
unexplainably nervous. Faith had been unusually chaste with Tara and
hadn't stayed overnight yet. She wondered why Tara affected her this
way, causing her to wait and take things slowly when that wasn't her
usual way. Now though, the coming stay in Tara's room was making her
almost panic.

Tara stood inside her room, cat in hand, smiling with amusement at
Faith, who was still standing in the hallway, apparently lost in
thought and looking extremely nervous. "Baby, are you going to come in?"

Faith looked up in alarm; then realized what was going on. She nodded,
her cheeks coloring and walked inside, Tara closing the door behind
her and setting the locks.

"Are you alright, Faith?" Tara handed her the cat and turned on the
coffee pot, holding up a small bag. "Look, I bought coffee for you."

Faith grinned and blushed harder, "Thanks, T, but hot coffee and a
wired jaw don't mix."

Tara nodded, "I thought about that." She crossed the room to the
little refrigerator and bent down, retrieving something. Standing up
again, she turned, brandishing a tiny ice tray. "I'll make it cold."

Faith grinned as hard as she could, wincing at the pain, but unable to
help it. "You rock, T. You're amazing."

Tara smiled again and turned back to the coffee pot. "You might want
to put down your bag and sit." She silently thanked the Goddess that
Faith couldn't see her grin.

Faith silently cursed her stupidity and put the bag on the floor near
the wall and sat on the bed with the kitten. "Hey there, Miss Kitty,
how've you been doin'?" She rolled a little ball of string across the
bed, giggling at the cat chasing it and finally let her have it when
Tara came over, a mug of iced coffee in her hand. "Thanks," Faith
accepted the cup and sipped slowly and carefully, allowing the liquid
to slip between her teeth and the wires.

Tara sat on the bed behind her and began rubbing the tense muscles in
Faith's neck and shoulders. "Why are you so nervous, honey? I don't
bite, you know. At least, not until you ask nicely."

Faith shrugged, sighing as the tension began to melt from her neck. "I
dunno. Just, with you, I feel this need to go slow and stuff. I guess
I'm just nervous about staying here tonight." She blushed again,
feeling childish and uncomfortable with her admission.

Tara pulled Faith back gently, wrapping her arms around the Slayer's
muscled waist. "There's nothing to be nervous about, honey. I get the
going slow part, you don't strike me as someone who's used to that,
but well, I think you already know I'm ready when you are." She ran
her thumb over Faith's stomach idly. "But if you want to just cuddle,
I'm always up for that." She kissed Faith's head, inhaling the scent
of cinnamon in her hair. 

Faith twisted in Tara's grip, looking at the blonde. "The thing is, I
want more than anything to be with you, I'm just so& nervous; and I
don't know why." 

"It's okay, baby." Tara kissed Faith on her cheek and got up from the
bed, rummaging in drawers for pajamas. "I'm going to get changed. Do
you want to watch a movie or something? We could talk, but I don't
want your jaw to hurt you."

Faith automatically got up to follow Tara, answering the question. "We
can talk. I figured out how without straining the muscles. It's about
using your lips and your tongue, but not moving much." She blushed,
realizing the double entendre she'd unintentionally made.

Tara noticed Faith follow her, but realizing she wasn't paying
attention to what was going on, shrugged and began to change her
clothes. "You do realize how bad that sounded, right?" She giggled and
watched Faith's eyes widen in the mirror.

Faith stared at Tara as the witch undressed, revealing herself to
Faith. "Uh-huh," Faith's jaw would have dropped open, had it not been
wired shut. "T? You do realize I'm standing here, right?"

Tara nodded, catching Faith's eye in the mirror. "Yeah. It didn't seem
like a big deal and you're the one who followed me. I can close the
door, if you want."

Faith shook her head. "Nah, it's okay." She attempted a smirk, half
pulled it off and swallowed hard. She walked into the bathroom and
slid her arms around Tara from behind, her calloused palms running
over smooth, nude skin, holding the witch to her. "I think I know
what's bothering me."

Tara looked over her shoulder at Faith. "Oh? What's up?"

Faith swallowed again, bracing for the rejection that she believed
would come, but in reality never would and said, "Tara, I love you."

Tara blushed and turned in Faith's embrace, her bare breasts pressing
against the black tank top Faith was wearing and kissed her lips
gently. "I love you too, Faith." She gingerly kissed her way across
Faith's jaw and down her neck. She nibbled a bit and said into the
slayer's pulse point, "Just tell me if you want to stop, I know you
want to go slow."

Faith let out a breath she hadn't been aware she was holding and
craned her own neck to reach down and kiss Tara's cheek. "You're
incredible, you know that?" Faith pulled away slightly and grinned
again. "Gimme a second, okay?" She turned and quickly crossed the
room, adding just a touch of slayer speed. She grabbed a CD from her
jacket and slid it into the stereo, selecting a track and hitting the
play button. Within a second, she was back in her girlfriend's arms
and Don Henley's voice was filling the small dorm room.

Tara looked up at Faith, her eyes wide, "Witchy Woman! I can't believe
you!" She giggled and playfully punched Faith in the arm.

Faith shrugged, her cheeks coloring and looked down, mumbling, "I've
been listening to this track on repeat since I met you." 

Tara pulled Faith to her again and covered her mouth with her own,
tongue snaking out to run along Faith's lips. She drew back slightly,
whispering. "I love you Faith, so much."

Faith wrapped her arms around the blonde's waist and lifted her up,
walking backwards out of the bathroom to lay Tara on the bed. She
crawled onto the bed next to her and lay down alongside, trailing her
fingers along the witch's tummy. "I wish so much I didn't have wires
in my mouth right now," she whispered.

Tara looked over at her and nodded. "So do I and I understand if you
just&"

Faith cut off her words by pressing her lips against her girlfriend's
mouth. "Shh. We'll figure something out, I'm sure. But slow, okay?"
Faith looked almost sheepish.

Tara nodded fervently, smiling, "Yes, slow; definitely." She scooted
up the bed until she was lying against the pillows and opened her arms
to her soon-to-be lover. "Come here, baby. Let me hold you?"

Faith nodded and moved upwards till she had her head on Tara's
shoulder. After a moment, though, she abruptly sat up. Tara started to
ask if there was something wrong, but the sentence died on her lips as
she watched Faith strip off her tank top and sports bra. Shrugging at
the ghost of a question on the blonde's face, she lay back down and
snuggled into her girlfriend once more.

Tara smiled into Faith's hair and ran her fingertips over Faith's bare
chest and sighed contentedly. Within moments, both women had fallen
asleep.

Faith woke up and stretched. She automatically tried to yawn and
grimaced when she remembered the wiring. Shrugging slightly, she also
remembered where she was. She turned her head towards Tara and smiled
at her sleeping form.

Tara sleepily opened her eyes and smiled at the slayer looking at her.
She yawned and mouthed, "Good morning, baby." She looked at her
girlfriend in alarm, eyes widening and mouthed once more, "Good&morning?"

Faith's eyes narrowed in slight anger and frustration and she tried as
well. "Morning." No sound issued forth and she sat up in bed.  Looking
around her in alarm, she turned back to the witch. "Are we& deaf?" The
wiring making it necessary for her to enunciate her words, Tara easily
read her lips and shook her head.

"No, I don't think so." She noticed Faith's look of confusion and
rolled her eyes in her own frustration. Picking up a notebook from her
desk, she wrote down her previously unheard sentence and showed it to
the brunette.

Faith nodded and motioned to her bag, then the door, mouthing the
word, "Buffy."

Tara nodded and began to dress. A few minutes later, she picked up her
keys and the two drove the short distance to Buffy's house, parking in
front. Hurrying up the walk, the two pounded on the door and pushed
past Joyce as she opened it. Faith pointed behind her, mouthed, "Tara"
at Buffy's mom and tapped Tara on the shoulder. "Joyce." She pointed
and Tara nodded, smiling at her. Joyce grabbed Faith by the arm and
scribbled something on a pad, shoving it at the slayer.

Faith squinted down at the handwriting and read "Buffy and Willow 
Giles. What's going on?"

Faith shrugged, exaggerating her actions and shaking her head. Nodding
at the paper, she pulled Tara back out the door as the blonde grinned
goofily at Buffy mother. Grabbing the notebook off the seat between
them, she scribbled directions to Giles house and thrust them at Tara.

Tara nodded and drove them to the Watcher's house. They burst through
the door and found Giles, Olivia, Buffy and Willow sitting in the
living room. Giles jumped up at the sight of them and grabbed a
dry-erase message board from the coffee table. Scribbling furiously,
he held it up for the girls to see. "Can you speak?"

Faith shook her head and grabbed it from him, erasing his words with
her sleeve. She wrote something and thrust it back, showing him the
words and grimacing to emphasize, "By the way, my jaw's broken."

Giles took off his glasses and began to clean them. He paced around
his apartment and finally returned to Faith, taking the board back.
"I'm not sure what's going on, but Buffy's had a dream. Nothing for
now, but you should patrol in groups."

Buffy, Willow and Faith moved through downtown Sunnydale, the three
deciding to leave Tara with Giles and Olivia for the time being.
They'd already stopped at Buffy's house to assure Joyce that everyone
was working on the problem and to stay indoors with the doors locked.
They now made their way to the gallery where the elder Summers worked
to deliver a letter from her. Coming up to the gallery's entrance,
Willow spied a note on the door. "Closed due to laryngitis, try
tomorrow." She turned to the slayers with a wry smile - just another
day in the land of denial, also known as the hellmouth. The three
smiled without humor and continued past the gallery, sliding the note
under the door as they went. Willow pulled Faith and Buffy into the
internet café and sat at a terminal, signing onto an instant
messenger. Xander's screen name popped up instantly.

XanderGI: What's going on??? Why can't anyone talk???

Willow typed furiously to try to answer his question.

	HackerWitch29: We're not sure yet, but no one can.

	XanderGI: So it's not just me then. That's good, for me, but all with
the badness. Should I head to Giles' place?

Willow looked up at Buffy and Faith. Buffy nodded, but placed her hand
on Willow's shoulder and fixed her with a look that said, `be careful.'

	HackerWitch29: Yes, but Buffy said to be careful, we don't know
what's going on yet. By the way, Olivia's over and Faith's new
girlfriend Tara is there. BE NICE!!!

	XanderGI: Hey! When am I not nice???? Okay, okay, I won't tease her
till we can talk again, k?

	HackerWitch29: thank you. We'll meet you over there later. We're
doing a short patrol of downtown. Somehow this doesn't feel like
vamps. We'll swing by the magic store too and buy some stuff to cast a
scrying spell. (That's like `seeing' magic and energy)

	XanderGI: *nods* okay, I'm all with the high-tail. 

**XanderGI has signed off**

Willow stood up and paid for her computer use, then the three headed
back outside. Faith lit a cigarette and leaned against the building.
She looked at her sister-slayer and shrugged, her eyebrows crawling
upwards. Buffy shrugged and shook her head, her long hair swirling
around her shoulders. Willow motioned to the magic store across the
street. Nodding, Buffy and Faith followed her and stood near the
doorway while Willow made her purchases. 

The man behind the counter tapped Willow on the shoulder as she dug
into her wallet for money and when she looked up, he showed her a pad
he'd scribbled on. Motioning the chosen two over, her eyes widened. It
said "This reminds me of a nursery rhyme my grandmother used to
recite." Buffy tilted her head to one side and questioned him with her
eyes. He shrugged and wrote, "I don't know what it's called, but it
was the kind designed to scare you. You know the ones." Buffy nodded,
tore off the paper and pulled Faith and Willow out of the store.

Walking down the street back towards Giles's house, Willow stopped,
tugging on Buffy and Faith's sleeves. She tilted her head, motioning
to the cell phone store. "Follow." The slayers walked into the store
with Willow, confusion abundant on their faces, until they saw the sign: 

SALE TODAY

ALPHA-NUMERIC DEVICES

SIDEKICKS ∙ BLACKBERRIES

CELLPHONE KEYBOARDS

Faith's eyes lit up in understanding. Willow counted in her head. She
pulled out her phone and tapped Faith on the shoulder. She mouthed,
"Tara" and pointed at the phone, her eyes questioning. Faith nodded
and pointed out her girlfriend's phone model to the hacker.

Willow approached the counter and handed the clerk her credit card,
while writing out an order list. A few minutes later, Buffy walked out
of the store carrying two bags, Faith carried one and Willow carried
one. The women stopped once more on Revello Drive and gave Joyce a
package, containing a keyboard for her phone and an instruction
manual. Buffy kissed her mom on the cheek and looked at her. "Better?"
Joyce nodded fervently and kissed Willow on the cheek as well. She
scribbled on the grocery pad, "Thanks for thinking of this."

The women left once more and finally headed back to Giles' apartment.

Sitting once more in Giles' living room, Willow distributed the little
keyboards and Tara accepted hers, blushing and thanking Willow over
and over. Faith put a hand on Tara's arm and shook her head, her eyes
smiling. "It's cool, Tara." After they had all installed them, the
conversations began in earnest. 

	ChosenDark: Okay, Red, show Giles the note from the witch guy.

Willow nodded, just remembering and passed the paper to him. He looked
over at it, took off his glasses, cleaned them, replaced them on his
face and sat back for a long moment. 

Buffy's eyes suddenly widened, noticing Faith and Tara texting
furiously to each other. She grabbed the dry-erase board and wrote "NO
DIRTY TALK ON SCOOBY TIME!!!!"

Tara blushed and hid her face in Faith's shoulder, while Faith, to her
credit, smirked.

Giles jumped up and went to the bookshelf, pulling down volume after
volume of old children's stories and nursery rhymes. He set the stack
on the coffee table and motioned to them, as if to say, `begin there.'

Olivia stood and tapped Tara on the shoulder, motioning to the
kitchen. Tara nodded and they went to make coffee and tea. Olivia took
the brandy down out of the cupboard and took a swallow, offering the
bottle to Tara. Tara smiled slightly and took it from Olivia,
mimicking her action. Olivia took it in to Giles and returned, sitting
down heavily in a chair. Some time later, the two women returned to
the living room, seeing the four sitting around with open books piled
on their laps, the brandy sitting on an end table, untouched.

Tara sat next to Faith and picked an open book up off Faith's lap and
smiled at her. "I can help." Faith nodded gratefully and took the
glass of iced coffee off the tray, "I love you." 

Tara smiled, "I love you too."

Suddenly, Giles jumped up, knocking over the pile of books on his lap.
The noise of the books hitting the floor startled everyone and they
looked at him expectantly. He held up a book, open to their view and
pointed at a passage, then lay it down for them to read.

Can't even shout, can't even cry;
The gentlemen are coming by.

Looking in windows,
Knocking on doors;
They need to take 7 and they might take yours.

Can't call to mom, can't say a word;
You're gonna die a-screaming,
But you won't be heard.

	ChosenLight: So what exactly are the gentlemen?
	Watcherman: They're creatures that need hearts. Why, I'm afraid, is
unclear.
	HackerWitch29: So why can't we speak?

Giles was flipping through another book.

	Watcherman: According to this story, all the villagers fought them,
but no sword could kill them. The princess screamed and they all died.
	XanderGI: Fun! So there's no way to kill them and every way for them
to kill US.
	WitchyWoman: Well, we just need to figure out how to get our voices back.
	ChosenLight: Sounds about right.
	Watcherman: Yes, but well&

Xander paled.

	XanderGI: Don't keep us in suspense, G-man& 
	Watcherman: It's extremely dangerous, Xander. I want both Slayers and
both witches to go, of course, if you're up to it, Tara. I don't want
you to do any of this against your will.
	ChosenDark: Been filling him in, huh, T?

Tara giggled silently and nodded.

WitchyWoman: That's fine, Mr. Giles, I have no problems helping out.
We could take a ride over to my dorm room and retrieve my mother's
book of shadows. There might be something useful in there. She was a
powerful practicing witch.

Giles nodded.

Watcherman: Sounds fine. Faith, go with Tara; come back here.
HackerWitch29: If you have a problem, send an alert with the phone.

Faith nodded and Tara stood, picking up her keys. They waved and got
in the car. Tara wrapped her arms around herself, shivered once and
then centered herself. She started the car and drove to her dorm
building. In direct opposition to what one would think, the dorm was
abuzz with activity. There was music playing in various rooms and
quite a few students were in the lounge playing noisy video games.
Faith's eyebrows knit together in confusion and disbelief, as they
entered Tara's room. Tara shrugged and typed a message of understanding.

WitchyWoman: They're scared and they can't speak to comfort one
another. The silence must be maddening, so they're trying to make it
noisy.

This struck Faith with an idea.

ChosenDark: Hey Giles, why can't we play a movie of a chick screaming
or something? Loads of horror movies have that in `em&
Watcherman: Good Question. Let me look into it.

Tara picked up several books, handing them to Faith and finally
crawled under the bed, coming back out with several dust bunnies and a
leather-bound book. She held it aloft in victory and motioned that
they should leave. Faith held up one finger and then mouthed, "New
ringtone." She pressed a button on her phone and a woman's scream
issued forth. Tara nodded and shrugged. It was worth a try.

They left the room and Tara locked the door behind them and then it
struck her. The dorm was silent. She turned to Faith in alarm and the
two hurried to the dorm's main entrance. 

Turning the corner, a tall, grey-skinned man walked, no, floated
towards them. Impeccably dressed, he grinned maniacally, his teeth
glinting in the light as if made of metal. He carried a satchel in one
hand, while the other skeletal hand was in constant motion around his
hideous grin, as if he experienced murderous glee. He caught sight of
the two women and moved closer, although he glided unhurriedly, as if
he believed he had all the time in the world.

He was followed by another of his kind, also incredibly tall and
gaunt, this one looking almost wasted. Behind him were two creatures,
bandaged from head to toe - as if mummified - and wearing
straitjackets, the arms of which trailed on the floor with a sickening
rasp. They ambled along behind the gentlemen, reminding Faith of Igor
in the movie Frankenstein.

Faith grabbed Tara's hand and ran in the opposite direction. The two
women ran blindly until they found an open door and realized too late
it only granted basement access. They ran down the stairs and into the
laundry room. Faith held the door closed and Tara silently spoke a
spell, sending a vending machine flying at the door. Slayer speed
allowed Faith to move out of the way just in time.

Faith fumbled with her phone and sent an alert to the Scoobies.

	ChosenDark: Trapped in laundry room, Turner Hall, Gentleman outside.
Trying screaming woman ringtone, hurry in case it doesn't work!!!

She pressed further buttons and the phone screamed, over and over
again, an eerie simulation of what she felt she and Tara should be
able to be doing at that moment. The women huddled together behind the
row of washing machines with no way of knowing if it worked and no way
of knowing if the Scoobies would be able to help. Suddenly, the door
to the room burst open, the snack machine flying back and Buffy stood
in the doorway, her leg coming back down from the snap kick she used
on the door. She motioned to the women to follow and turned to leave,
not wanting to waste any time.

Giles and Buffy led Faith and Tara back outside and the four got into
two cars and drove back to Giles' apartment.

Willow sat at her laptop, the coroner's office files open. Hearing the
door open, she turned and motioned to the four to look at the screen.

o	DOA, 3:44 PM, John Doe.

-	Apparent Ritualistic Murder, Heart Missing

o	DOA, 4:20 PM, Jane Doe.

-	Apparent Ritualistic Murder, Heart Missing, Theorizing Series.

She turned back to the rest of them, her eyes wide. "That could have
been you." She mouthed carefully, needlessly. Those same thoughts were
running through Faith and Tara's minds.

She minimized the page and opened another.

o	RECENT REAL ESTATE SALES/ACQUISITIONS

-	Clocktower/Mansion, Handyman special  SOLD

She wagged her eyebrows up and down. She typed on the screen.

"It's worth a look."

Everyone nodded and they prepared to launch a reconnaissance mission. 

Faith squeezed Tara's hand as they walked up the street near the old
clock tower. She motioned to Buffy and Tara nodded. The group had
discussed the tactics earlier and all agreed the pairs should split
up. Being close to their respective girlfriends, all women involved
could get fatally distracted.

Tara and Buffy moved around back and set their phones on vibrate. When
Faith and Willow were in position, it would send a buzz into Buffy's
pocket.

Faith and Willow took their positions on the side of the house. They
were out of view of the street and walkway, but where they could see
enough to guard the others. Willow nodded and pressed the alert on her
cell.

Buffy nodded and laced her fingers together, as Tara stepped into her
clasped hands. Muttering soundlessly, Tara began to float upwards
slightly, a couple of inches from Buffy's outstretched arms, waiting
to catch Tara. She turned her attention to the window and shuddered.
She could see three of the hideous fiends grinning to each other and a
couple of "footmen" moving about. Just past the gentlemen, however,
she spied a table with seven jars on it - three containing hearts. She
chanted once more and floated down into Buffy's arms and they made
their way around the side of the house to reconnect with the other
pair. Then the four spirited away to Giles' as fast and soundlessly as
possible.

	HackerWitch29: I don't get it, why three? I only found two in the
ME's files.

	WitchyWoman: My guess is the third's either too fresh to show up on
reports or it belongs to the real owner of that house.

Buffy was quiet in the corner then suddenly sat up, typing furiously.

	ChosenLight: Tara, you said you saw a box?

Tara nodded and sketched it clumsily on a piece of paper.

	ChosenLight: I saw that in my dream, Giles. Could it mean anything?

Giles got up and began flipping pages in his books. Olivia walked out
carrying a sketchbook and set it down on the table in front of the
group. On the top page was a sickeningly accurate likeness of the
Gentleman that Faith and Tara first saw earlier that day. Underneath
it, she had written, `Seen last night, midnight, past that window.'
She pointed.

Willow paled and Tara shuddered. Xander stared at the macabre portrait
and began to turn green. Faith reached out and flipped the sketchbook
over. She looked up at Olivia and her face showed sympathy and
understanding. Olivia nodded and curled up at one end of the couch.

Giles came back over while placing his glasses on his face and holding
a book. He set it down on top of the overturned sketchbook and it
showed a drawing of the box Tara saw inside the tower. He looked up at
Buffy and nodded to the drawing. She nodded fervently and they both
looked at Tara expectantly. She nodded, an understanding coming to
her. She pointed at her throat, opened her mouth and then stabbed her
finger into the box drawn on the page.

Buffy and Faith exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously.
													

Faith and Buffy snuck into the house, having left their witchy
companions at Giles' house. Faith used GI sign language and motioned
to the staircase. Buffy nodded and the two crept up the stairs and
along the corridor till they came to the trapdoor in the ceiling which
led to the attic and clockworks. Faith looked up, judging the distance
and crouched slightly, lacing her fingers together. Buffy took two
steps and stepped into Faith's hands, her own hands pressing down on
Faith's shoulders as Faith threw her up. Buffy crashed through the
trapdoor and slashed at the nearest thing to her, while kicking the
ladder down for Faith to follow.

Buffy's axe connected with a footman and slashed down its chest, blood
trickling out past gauze and canvas. Her eyes widened as the
realization that she could kill the creatures dawned.

Faith climbed the rungs with Slayer-speed and emerged next to Buffy.
The blonde pointed and Faith nodded, seeing the bleeding footman. She
began swinging her own halberd, keeping the gentlemen at bay long
enough for Buffy to find the table. She swung her axe down and missed,
smashing one of the jars instead. She silently cursed and Faith's eyes
pleaded with Buffy to get it right. Buffy smashed down with the handle
of her weapon and smashed through the box, releasing an almost visible
cloud of sound. The force of the released voices slammed her back and
she hit the wall with a loud, "oof!" Her eyes brightened and she
opened her mouth and screamed, Faith's voice joining hers, though
muffled. The gentlemen stopped advancing almost at once and brought
their skeletal hands to their ears, grimaces replacing the hideous
smiles. One by one the gentlemen's heads exploded with the power of
the sound, spraying the loft with liquid and ooze.

Faith ran over to Buffy and held her hand out. "C'mon, B, Let's go home."

Tara stood in the kitchen with Willow, making yet another pot of tea
and spilled some boiling water over the side of her mug, splashing it
on herself. "Ow!" She exclaimed, as the front door opened. She spun to
Willow, her eyes wide and dropped the kettle into the sink, running
into the living room. "You did it!" She grabbed Faith and hugged her
tight. Willow came following and pulled Buffy to her, "Are they
slayed?" Buffy nodded, "Sliced and diced." Olivia emerged from the
bedroom carrying a suitcase and carry-on bag, "That's a relief."

Giles stood and looked at Olivia, "Vacation on the hellmouth not what
you expected?" 
Olivia shook her head sadly and crossed the room to him, "I don't know
how you do it, day after day." 
Giles smiled sheepishly, having no words to offer, "Can I take you to
the airport?" 
Olivia shook her head, "No, I'll take a taxi; thanks, Rupe."
Giles nodded sadly and carried her bags out, Olivia waving as she left.

Faith looked at Tara, "Can you take me to the hospital, T?" 
Tara's eyes widened, "Are you hurt?" 
Faith shook her head, smirking, "Nah, I have to have the wires taken
out." 
Tara smiled and giggled, looking at Buffy and Willow,"Can I drop you
guys off?"

Buffy and Willow looked at one another and shook their heads, "No,
thanks - we'll walk." They picked up their book bags and left Xander
sleeping on the couch, walking out and heading for home.
													

Faith sat on the gurney in the hospital, while Tara stuttered to the
doctor, "S-she's had some acupuncture, that's why it's healed so quickly."

The doctor nodded and rubbed as his neck, "Yes, well, perhaps I should
give some of that a try. I've had the worst case of laryngitis
lately." He snipped the last few bits of metal in Faith's mouth and
removed them. "Well, Ms&" He trailed off, looking for her chart to
read her name.

"Just call me Faith, doc," She smirked at Tara, rubbing her cheeks,
glad to be free of the wires.

"Yes, well, Faith. I'll give you prescription for the soreness and I'm
not too sure it's completely healed, although the X-rays say you're
alright. Come back and see me if it begins to hurt again."

Faith took the paper from the doctor and nodded, "I will, doc,
thanks." She and Tara walked out to the car and Faith passed a
trashcan, tossing the prescription into it. She got into the car and
leaned against Tara's shoulder.

Tara looked down at her, "Are you alright? Maybe the doctor's right&"
She trailed off as Faith's lips claimed her own and sighed. She
surrendered to the soft warmth of Faith's mouth and opened her own to
allow Faith's questing tongue access. After a moment she pulled away,
"Faith?"

Faith looked at Tara, suddenly nervous once more, "Yeah, T?"

"We should go home," Tara started the car, pulled out of the parking
lot, and broke several speed limits driving back to the dorm.

They parked, entered the building and walked up to Tara's dorm room.
She unlocked the door, turned on the light and Faith closed and locked
the door behind her. Tara set the magickal lock and crossed to the CD
player, "I've been thinking baby." She placed a disc in the player and
pressed the play button. A whistle sounded and a whining guitar began
to play as she walked back to Faith.

She danced around her girlfriend a bit and slid her hands up Faith's
chest, wrapping her arms around Faith's neck, kissing her gently and
whispering, "I think this one might fit a little better." She pulled
the stake out of Faith's belt just as the lyrics matched and tossed it
aside.

Stop messing 'round with your tricks
Don't turn your back on me baby
You just might pick up my magic sticks

Faith laughed and kissed Tara, pulling her down onto the bed. "Yeah,
maybe, but you're still my Witchy Woman." She leaned down and kissed
Tara's neck, sliding her tongue along Tara's jaw, "I am so glad to be
rid of those wires."

Tara nodded, taking an audible breath as Faith played with her ear.
"So am I, baby," She pushed against Faith a little and rolled over on
top of her, kneading her shoulders and rubbing her fingers into her
tense biceps. She ran her fingers through Faith's hair, down her neck,
across her chest and up her own waist. Then grabbed at the hem of her
sweater and pulled it off. "So am I," she said slowly, punctuating
each word with a kiss across Faith's collarbone.

Faith stared up at Tara with adoration. There was no mistake about
Tara's stripping this time and Faith reached up, trailing her fingers
over her girlfriend's warm skin. She pulled Tara down to her and
kissed her passionately, Faith's fingers winding through blonde locks.
She scratched lightly down Tara's back and back up her spine, leaving
the witch shivering. Faith rolled them over and sat up on her knees,
pulling her own shirt off and leaning down to leave kisses across
Tara's collarbone and in the hollow of her throat.

Faith inhaled the scent of vanilla and lavender and moved her mouth
lower, taking one of Tara's nipples into her mouth and earned an
audible gasp. She smiled to herself and licked around the nipple,
sucking occasionally and then moved to the other, giving it the same
treatment. She moved her fingers around Tara's torso, ghost touches
prickling over her skin, not even touching really. Tara felt the
lightness and knew it for what it was. She looked up at Faith in
surprise, "You know about auras?"

Faith chuckled, "A little, it's part of Slayer training, but I've also
been reading some books." She blushed and ducked her head, "I read the
Kama Sutra a couple years ago. I thought it would make me irresistible." 

Tara smiled and tilted Faith's head up to look into her eyes, "It
does, baby. It does." She sat up and slid her arms around Faith,
reversing their roles and sucking on Faith's nipples one at a time.
Faith's eyes closed and she gasped a bit, her hands gripping Tara's
shoulders. 

Tara moved from one to the other and back again, using tongue and
teeth, scraping them over Faith's nipples, hardening them. Tara rolled
them over and trailed her lips and tongue further down Faith's toned
abs, then back up, finally leaving a kiss on her lips. She slipped her
leg between Faith's and moved her knee, grinding it into the black
jeans Faith wore. Faith moaned and pulled Tara down to kiss her. It
all felt so new to Faith; even though she'd been in a woman's bed
countless times before, it had never felt like this.

Tara kissed her way down Faith's jaw once more and sucked on the
slayer's pulse point, biting down lightly, then a bit harder. She
listened to Faith's sharp intake of breath and then the groan that
escaped and smiled. She didn't think she'd ever want to be anywhere else.

Faith felt herself getting wetter and slipped her hand into the
waistband of Tara's skirt, her eyes questioning. Tara smiled and moved
her hand over Faith's, guiding it down inside the light material.
Faith slid her hand over Tara's fabric-covered mound and cupped it,
making circular motions with her palm, rubbing steadily. Tara's eyes
closed and she gasped and bit her lip. Faith rolled them over once
more and tugged the skirt down over Tara's hips, taking her panties
with it. Tara blushed and pulled Faith to her, kissing her
insistently. Faith moved her hand down again, palming Tara's trimmed
thatch and slipped her finger inside the wetness, stroking over her clit. 

Tara breathed the slayer's name and sighed, her hips rising a bit to
meet Faith's hand. She looked up at her girlfriend and smiled, seeing
Faith's eyes slightly glassy, "I love you, Faith."

Faith softened and kissed Tara, "I love you too, T - so much." She
slipped her fingers down a touch further and slid inside Tara. First
one, then two; her thumb stroked over Tara's most sensitive spot. Tara
cried out softly and thrust down onto Faith's hand, the two of them
building a rhythm. Faith curled her fingers and stroked Tara's hidden
spot, then removed her hand and kissed Tara, shushing her
protestations. She smiled and crawled backwards, trailing kisses down
Tara's abdomen and breathed in deeply as she lay down between Tara's
legs and inhaled Tara's essence. Faith leaned forward and slid her
tongue between the folds, her tongue tasting honey as she laved over
Tara's clit, flicking fast, then slowly. She replaced her fingers
inside Tara once more and drank the witch in as she stroked deep inside.

Tara began to shudder and reached her climax softly, feeling as if she
were floating. She felt Faith slow, then speed up again, bringing her
up to a second and eventually a third orgasm. As soon as she felt
Faith withdraw, Tara sat up slowly, bringing Faith down to her and
claimed her lips in a searing kiss. She reached down and undid the
button and zipper on Faith's jeans and pushed them down off of the
slayer's hips, kicking them to the floor.

Tara chuckled lightly at the lack of underwear and pushed Faith over,
her hands sliding up and down Faith's body. She stroked the slayer's
legs and stomach and then her arms. Finally, Tara's palms came down on
Faith's breasts and kneaded them, her fingertips pulling gently on
Faith's nipples. Tara squeezed harder and produced a moan from Faith.
She looked into her girlfriend's eyes and smirked, leaning down and
sucking one nipple into her mouth. Faith's breath was pulled through
her teeth in a hiss and she groaned. Her hips moved of their own
volition and bucked, yearning for Tara's touch. Tara slid her hand
down Faith's cut muscles and over her cropped mound, cupping the
slayer's sex and pressing down. Faith moaned and jerked once more,
sliding her arms around the witch and kissing her hard. 

Tara kissed her back with passion and urgency and slid a finger inside
Faith, then pulled it back out. Tara looked at Faith, her eyes
glinting and brought her finger up to her lips. Faith breathed in hard
as Tara sucked on her finger, then closed her eyes as Tara placed it
back inside her and added two more. Tara pushed steadily inside Faith,
then withdrew almost to emptiness and once more pushed inside the
slayer. Tara ran her thumb over the slayer's engorged clit and pressed
on it firmly. She thrust her fingers in and out and before long
brought Faith to a shuddering climax - this time the slayer called out
her name.

Tara removed her hand and replaced it with her mouth. She licked and
sucked at Faith's clit, then spread her open and slid her tongue deep
inside Faith, receiving a curse and a gasp from the woman above her.
She moved her tongue inside Faith expertly and soon brought her to
another orgasm, this time rising up to lie alongside her girlfriend.

Tara looked into Faith's eyes, "Sometimes you just don't need words."







Willow: "It's a good fight, Buffy, and I want in."
Buffy:  "I kinda love you."
                     'Choices'

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