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New Paths	By : Kinetickid Category: BtVS AU/AR > FemmeSlash - Female/Female Views: 9889 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 12
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Tara shakes her head to Anya, as the ex-demon starts to say something to her before she climbs down the stairs to the basement, stopping and sitting towards the bottom step, looking around at the inventory, sighing quietly before rubbing the back of her neck feeling the tension creeping in and starting to cause a headache.

�I swear she is the most stubborn, pain in the ass woman I�ve ever known.� Tara whispers softly to the empty room. �Taking chances like that�� Tara groans and drops her head to her hands as she rests her elbows on her knees.

�She talks Willow and Oz into spending spring break with Angel in LA, so she doesn�t have to worry about them being captured by the Initiative goon squad, then she pulls a fool stunt like this that could have blown up in her face.� Tara runs shaky hands through her hair. Finally the worry and hurt settles in, taking over from the anger. Tara doesn�t even fight the tears that come to her eyes, quietly sobbing at the thought of possibly losing the slayer, Buffy having come to mean the world to her over the past months. Knowing that if something happened to the woman it would devastate her completely.

***

Buffy hesitantly steps to the open basement door, looking down the steps into the semi-darkness, seeing Tara�s slumped shoulders and the quiet sniffles coming from her lover. Having finally ran out of questions for Forrest, and still being somewhat in shock over what she�d found out, she�d come looking for Tara.

Having time to cool down and take a step back to look at things from Tara�s perspective, she finally put herself in Tara�s shoes and realized that if she�d been her lover, she would have probably ripped her a new one. Then tied her up and never let her go anywhere again by herself. Slowly working her way down the stairs, she settles on the step behind her, resting her legs on either side of Tara and cautiously wrapping her arms around her. Sighing in relief as Tara leans back into her, though not liking the way the woman shook lightly in her arms.

�I�m sorry, Tara.� Buffy whispers, burying her face in Tara�s hair. �I was wrong to do that by myself, not knowing what we�re going up against. I could kick myself for hurting you. That�s something I never, ever want to do. And I hate to say it, but there�s going to be a but to this apology.�

Tara shifts her hands to wrap them around Buffy�s legs and leans heavier back into the slayer, a small curl of her lip in a semi-semblance of a grin at Buffy�s admittance that there�s going to be a but.

�I�m action-gal. And when I get a plan of action, I just kinda go with it. I thought it would be a good idea to get someone to question, and with the lack of people at college because of most of them leaving on spring break, I just went with it. I�m not going to promise you that I won�t do something like this again, but I will promise you that I will try and discuss this with you before just taking off and doing it, unless it�s a life or death type decision.� Buffy offers sincerely.

�Buffy, I have to say something here.� Tara whispers, holding Buffy�s legs tightly, feeling the slayer stiffen behind her, but not pull away. �Every night you go out on patrol by yourself, it scares me that you might not come back. That something might happen to you. I�m slowly coming to terms with it, though I know if anything should ever happen to you, I�ll be devastated. But I understand what you�re doing, I applaud it, and I wish there was more that I could do to help you. I also would like those stupid assholes at the Watcher�s Council to get off their collective British asses and give you the help you deserve. But risking your life when you didn�t have to, or when you could have taken me or someone else with you as added protection I won�t be able to deal with on a regular basis. I know, and even better, understand you have a problem asking for help. You feel this is your job and you�re putting other people at risk if you have them help you.�

Buffy brushes her nose against Tara�s hair, silently listening to her lover speak. This one of the longest speeches coming from Tara that she�s ever heard, and giving it and the witch the attention she deserves.

Tara swallows before continuing. �But without you, Buffy. Without you here to protect us, we�d probably all already be a lost cause, dead or living here on hell on earth. Let us help you, let us protect your back.� Tara takes a deep breath and turns her head to brush her lips against Buffy�s upper arm and rest her cheek against the warm flesh.

�Accept our help, please.�

Buffy tightens her grip around Tara�s chest and presses her lips firmly to her head as she gently rocks her. �I�ll try.� Buffy answers softly after a few minutes, closing her eyes and soaking up the warmth coming from Tara. Loving the feel of the woman against her, the softer feminine curves, the way she melts when she touches her.

Tara knows that�s the best she�ll get from the slayer. She�d dearly love to have a promise that Buffy won�t get seriously hurt, or killed. But knowing the promise would be empty, because that�s something no one has control over. Rubbing her cheek gently against Buffy�s bicep, Tara turns and presses her lips against the flesh, leaving them there for a few moments before moving her head to rest back against her lover. �Did you get any information?�

�Oh, yeah.� Buffy growls softly at the thought of what she�d learned. �I need to hunt out mom and Giles. I�d rather not have to repeat this more than a couple times, and I can guarantee that Giles won�t believe me and make me explain it over and over again.�

�That bad?� Tara questions softly, sighing quietly as she feels Buffy�s head nod against hers. �They probably stayed close. What did you do with Forrest?�

�Gagged him, but left him conscious� and in pain.� Buffy smirks at the thought, though almost wishing she�d done more damage than the couple broken fingers.

�What did you do?� Tara groans the question.

�I set them after he talked.� Buffy mumbles. �I broke his pinky and ring finger on his left hand. He�s right handed, so it shouldn�t be too much of a problem for him until they�ve healed.�

Tara groans louder and rubs a hand over her face. �Mr. Giles is probably going to get on you for that.�

�Possibly. But he wasn�t going to talk, and he�s a wimp. If he was actually captured somewhere and interrogated, he�d probably give up all the secrets he knows. What good would that do our country if he�s captured? I thought these guys were supposed to be trained to withstand torture.� Buffy grumbles, really pissed at the thought.

�I�m really not happy with you.� Tara whispers as she finishes rubbing the tears from her face.

�I know.� Buffy sighs heavily. �I�m just thankful you didn�t do to me what you did to Spike. And I know you were more pissed today at me, than you were at him.�

�I would never use magic on you, Buffy. That would be like you using your slayer strength on me, it wouldn�t be fair.� Tara shakes her head. �Plus it would be wrong.�

�I know you wouldn�t, Tara.� Buffy helps Tara to stand and looks into sad, red-rimmed blue eyes. Brushing her thumbs gently under the shadowed eyes, Buffy tries a half smile before trying to lighten things between them. �But I have used my slayer strength on you.� Buffy wiggles her eyebrows and her lip quirks knowingly at her lover.

�Using your strength to lift me up, or hold me against a wall while you�re having your way with me, isn�t what I meant, and you know it.� Tara wraps her arms around Buffy�s waist and looks intently into hazel eyes. �I love you, honey. That won�t change, but I don�t like you taking unnecessary chances with your life. And when you literally left me asleep when you could have woken me and taken me with you�� Tara sighs and shakes her head. �Whether you realize it or not, you hurt me with your actions, Buffy.� Tara finally admits, the tears starting to glimmer in her eyes again.

Buffy whimpers quietly as she sees the tears start to fall. Wrapping her arms around Tara�s neck, she pulls the Wiccan in against her. �I really didn�t mean to hurt you, Tara. Or make you angry or worried.� Buffy continues softly, stroking a hand over the back of Tara�s head as the Wiccan buries her face in her neck.

�I�ll have to go with you on patrol tonight and get to have the fun of demolishing a few demons to take some of my frustrations and anger out on.� Tara murmurs pressing her lips briefly against Buffy�s neck.

�I can see if we can find Spike for you.� Buffy offers, smiling as she hears the low chuckle coming from Tara. Slowly some of the tension leaving her body at the sound.

�Hunt him up for me to torture and you might be closer to sharing the bed with me tonight instead of sleeping on the couch.� Tara warns, half serious.

Buffy gulps loudly, hearing the serious note in Tara�s voice. �You�re going to cut me off?�

�It�s a very distinct possibility.� Tara slowly eases back, seeing Buffy�s wide-eyed look, she quirks her eyebrow knowingly at her lover. �I told you I�m not very happy with you.�

Buffy whimpers, but nods her head in agreement. �I know. Let�s see if we can find Giles and mom.� Buffy dejectedly turns around and makes her way up the stairs.

Tara allows a smirk to cross her face. �There�s more than one way to get back at you slayer. This punishment is more likely to make you think twice than anything I can do or say.� Tara thinks to herself, before the smirk turns into a pout. �Though I�m punishing myself, too.� Growling softly at the thought, Tara stomps up the stairs behind her lover, the brief flash of happiness turning back into anger and disgust.

***

Graham climbs out of the sewer system to enhance his signal. �Graham checking in.�

�How is he doing?� Walsh questions the soldier, frowning at the reception on her monitors, already planning on how to up the signal so she�ll be able to hear and see anything, even if Riley is in the deepest, darkest tunnel.

�Ma�am, he is performing admirably. He has disabled ten different demons and five vampires. We went ahead and took out the vampires, since you aren�t looking for anymore to experiment on.� Graham explains quickly and precisely.

�That�s good. Any problems? Moving too slow? His implants not working right? Has he been talking or just strictly disabling and moving on?� Walsh tries to adjust the strength of the signal, though knowing it�s a lost cause. Riley is too far away from the Initiative and the interference of the tunnels was making it nigh on impossible to get decent reception.

�As far as we can tell, everything is working properly. Occasionally he stops as if he�s seeing or listening to something, but I am assuming that he�s detecting some demon up ahead.� Graham offers, though not knowing for sure.

�Good, good. Walsh out.� Walsh taps her fingers on the desk, nodding her head as a slow smile crosses her face. �It would seem your first trial run has gone over very, very well, Riley. I�ll let you continue for a few more hours then call everyone back. Maybe next time I�ll let you go above town and see how you do at keeping to the shadows so you�re not seen by the public.�

***

The hybrid, formerly Riley Finn makes his way back to base after scouring the sewer systems for any and all demons he could find. His computer enhanced brain cataloging and making notes on the different demons to better defeat them next time with the least amount of problems.

Hesitating as he let�s the retinal scanner scan him into the military installation, he remembers a brief glance of two blonde women. Not allowing the confusion he�s feeling to be noticed he makes his way to Professor Walsh as per his orders. Burying the remembrance of the women to his back memories to be brought out again and dissected when he is more able to do so without raising any suspicions or questions.

***

Giles locks the door to the Magic Box and flips the sign to closed after Anya and Xander leave. Turning back to look at Buffy and Tara, the two women sitting beside each other, but the lack of their usual soft smiles and touches obvious.

When Buffy and Tara had hunted them down at the Espresso Pump, Joyce had decided to head home to figure out something for dinner while he came back to the shop with the two young women. When Buffy had explained everything that Forrest had told her, there was stunned silence.

Settling across from the two women and picking up his cold tea, he looks down into it silently wishing he knew what they were going to do. �They made Riley, a human being into a computer/demon/human hybrid.� Giles murmurs again, rubbing a hand across his forehead. �Bloody hell! Are these people mad?�

�That�s a given.� Buffy leans forward and rests her arms on the table, placing her forehead on the crossed arms in defeat. �No matter that we�re broken up, no one deserves that.�

Tara sighs quietly at the defeated tones in her lover�s voice. Reaching over, she gently rubs the slayer�s back, feeling the tension in the tight muscles. �I don�t agree with what they did. From the sounds of it, Riley would have died with the damage that was done to him, though.�

�Is it any better being like that? From what Forrest said, he�s not sure how much of Riley is left in that� that thing!� Buffy turns her head to look at Tara. �He told me they replaced his legs, his arms, put an exo-skeleton type thing under his skin not unlike Wolverine!! A fucking made-up character! What kind of life is that? He�s programmed to fight and capture demons. To capture witches.� Buffy growls the last sentence softly. �He�s technically not human any longer, since he�s running on some damn power source and computer they have inside him.�

�But he is still Riley to some level.� Tara adds running her fingers gently through Buffy�s hair, knowing that her lover still cares for the soldier to some degree. Turning her gaze on Giles who had stayed surprisingly quiet, Tara tilts her head considering the watcher. �What do you think?�

�I think we might have bitten off more than we can chew.� Giles admits sadly, his eyes lifting to look at the two women. �If they can literally pick and choose different demon parts, grafting them onto a human body and upgrade the human�s defenses with metal and computer parts�� Giles shakes his head and rubs a hand roughly over the back of his neck. �I need to contact the Council.� He finally admits, his eyes darting from Buffy to Tara and back again. �I�d rather you two be extra careful. Truthfully, I�m debating on you not even bothering with patrols.�

�Can�t do that, Giles. I need to be out there and taking out the demons to keep them from hurting any humans.� Buffy states adamantly. Turning her gaze to Tara, she sighs softly. �Tara will hopefully come with me, and between the two of us, we�ll make sure we�re okay. Tara can do that protection spell around us to keep anyone or anything from harming us.�

Tara nods in silent agreement, seeing the acceptance in Buffy�s hazel eyes that they would be working together for the time being and no more �John Wayne� acts. �Always.� Tara smiles softly, forgiving her lover a little more for her earlier actions.

Buffy smiles hesitantly back, releasing a quiet breath she�d been unaware of holding, sensing the release of some of the tension between her and Tara. �Now, do we release soldier boy and let him head back to the Initiative to make them aware that we know what�s going on? Or do we keep him under lock and key until we decide how to handle this?�

Giles groans and shakes his head. �We can�t leave him tied up in the back indefinitely. He needs to be able to make use of the facilities, be fed��

�And watered, taken out for walks.� Buffy grins. �Tara, can you turn him into a puppy dog?�

�Buffy!� Giles smacks his hand down on the table, trying to fight the smile crossing his face as he glares at the slayer.

�What? That would be the easiest way to deal with him, wouldn�t it? I mean, Amy�s a rat after all. Admittedly we haven�t found a way to turn her back into her human self, but I�m sure if Tara placed a spell on him to turn him into something, she�d be able to turn him back. Or maybe put it on some kind of timer type thing where he�d turn back to a human being after so many days?� Buffy shrugs her shoulders, grinning at the thought.

�Amy?� Tara blinks in confusion as she stares at her lover.

�Oh. I haven�t told you about her, have I?� Buffy winces slightly. �There�s a lot of stories you haven�t heard, I�m sure. But needless to say mom along with a bunch of other people were about to burn me, Willow and Amy at the stakes and Amy turned herself into a rat to escape. The only problem is that we haven�t been able to turn her back into her human form.�

�She�s the rat that�s in your room.� Tara states more than questions, finally making the connection, wondering why the two women kept a rat as a pet, especially what seemed to be a normal every day rat, instead of one of the white rats that were more of a normal pet. �Do you know what kind of spell she used?�

Buffy shrugs. �I just remember her mentioning something about the Goddess Hellcat, or something like that. Her eyes turned all black and nasty, she had this stuff swirling around her and the next thing I know she�s a rat, running off to get away from being burned alive.�

Tara frowns as she tries to think of what Goddess Buffy was talking about, knowing her lover�s penchant for mangling demons names among other things. �She used black magic.� Tara murmurs, knowing that if the woman�s eyes had turned black that she had obviously called on some pretty dark powers to make her change herself.

�That�s probably a given. Her mom was all witch-y and had even did a body swap spell with Amy when she tried to enjoy your youth again.� Buffy nods in agreement. �She had one big nasty book in her attic that she had her spells in. Of course Giles and I stole it and used it to help us switch them back.�

Giles blinks and nods his head in remembrance. �I still have the book, but how in the world would Amy know the spell?� He mumbles as he stands and heads up the stairs to the restricted area.

Tara brushes her thumb back and forth over her lips as she considers different things. �Mr. Giles? Wouldn�t it be possible if her mother had inhabited her body that a good portion of what her mother knew would have been left when you switched them back?�

�I remembered being a rat when she turned me into one when Xander had her do that love spell.� Buffy admits. �Would that kind of be like the same thing?�

�Similar.� Tara stands, leans down and brushes her lips over Buffy�s cheek before heading to one of the book shelves. �Though it was still you in the rat�s body. But it would make sense that she might have her mother�s memories. And if that�s the case, if her mother knew the spell for the transmogrification, that there is a good possibility that Amy would then know it.� Tara starts to search for a spell to help contain Forrest, and hopefully one to turn Amy back to herself. Knowing it�s possible that if they find out exactly what spell Amy used to change herself, she could make a spell to change her back. But that�s only if she knows what was done to reverse the damage.

�I�ve had a bit of a hand at hypnosis. Maybe I could see if Forrest is susceptible to it, and lock away being kidnapped and questioned by you.� Giles glances at Buffy after he makes it down the stairs, Catherine Madison�s book in his hands.

�How are you going to explain the broken fingers?� Tara questions curiously, quirking her eyebrow at the watcher.

�Mayhaps he had a bit of a problem with a demon and got banged up.� Giles offers, smirking at the thought. �Of course, he�ll need a few more bruises on him, if the hypnosis works.�

�Not you.� Tara glares at Buffy as she sees the slayer perk up.

Buffy deflates and pouts as she turns back to look at the table. �Not letting me have any fun.� Buffy lays her head back down on the table. �But I should be thankful you haven�t gotten out the paddle and beat my ass with it, so I won�t complain too much.�

Tara blushes lightly as Giles blinks, a look of confusion on his face, before a smirk crosses his lips. Blushing even darker, Tara shakes her head. �No paddles or anything else like that.� Tara grumbles, turning back to the books.

�To each their own.� Giles murmurs, trying not to laugh at the quiet squeak that comes from Tara. �And should we really be trying to find something to make Amy herself again, instead of working on what to do with the Initiative?�

�What can we do about the Initiative right now, Giles?� Buffy grumbles, shrugging her shoulders. �At least if we get Amy back, that�s something of the good. Maybe we could recruit her to help out. Plus I feel kind of guilty about her being a rat for over a year now.�

�Well, let�s see if we can find the spell that she cast, then we�ll go from there. I can get whatever ingredients we need for the spell while Mr. Giles tries his hocus pocus on Forrest.� Tara grins crookedly at the watcher.

�Yes, quite.� Giles rolls his eyes before settling down on the chair with the book in front of him as Tara pulls a couple books from the shelves and settles beside Buffy again.

Buffy sighs and takes one of the books from in front of Tara and opens it, hoping that helping research might put her one step closer to being back in Tara�s good graces.
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New Paths