Impressionable Sorrows
by DawnBTVS
Part V: Endearing Myself
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I was still up, just as Willow, Joyce, and Buffy all entered the kitchen. Dawn was asleep on a stool, head on the counter top. I gave a small wave, and turned back the toaster.
"You're...cooking," Buffy stated, looking at my handiwork. I nod, grinning. I think they like it, although Buffy doesn't sound excited about the prospect of scarfing down my food. Willow looks pleased, as does Joyce so that makes me happy.
"Yeah. Dawn and I tried the mix every cereal together experiment. A total failure in every sense of the word and just be glad there were no broken items. I couldn't sleep so I started making toast for Dawn and myself. I sort of got carried away," I admit, sheepishly. I bow my head, waiting for Joyce to yell at me.
"We appreciate it," Joyce replies, smile on her face. I smile, then laugh as I catch Buffy with a face full of waffles.
"Gof," she mumbles, some of the waffle bits spewing it. I wrinkle my nose, nod my head, and let everybody take what they want after nudging Dawn awake. Breakfast was nice. I actually felt like a part of a family. It's been a long while since I felt that. Last time was likely when I was three, before my mother took up drinking as a yearly habit. Now, it was time to hit the Magic Box. When we arrived...well, I wanted to kill.
~~~BTVS~~~
"Look at all this shit," drawled some big oaf. I walk right up to him and size him up from behind. He turns and catches sight of me. I step back and put on a sugary sweet smile.
"Hey," I say, trying to be as pleasant as possible. I don't like this asshole at all. I spot Tara behind him. She has a very worried expression on her face, and that makes me angrier.
"You a whore or something? You cast spells? Huh, whore?" he asks, giggling. It takes everything in my power to not knock him out. Buffy grabs me by the shoulders, walking me around him. I let out a low growl that only Buffy can hear as she sits me at the table.
"I know. I want to kill him too," she whispers in my ear. I keep my eyes locked on him as he walks up to Tara.
"Daddy and cousin Beth are here too, bitch. It's your eighteenth birthday ya know and we're gonna take you home where you can't harm anybody. We're taking you where you belong you selfish whore," the guy says, snarling at Tara. She whimpers, cowering before him.
"I'm s-s-sorry, D-D-Donny," Tara whispered. Donny nods his head, satisfied at his victory. He turns and exits the store. I quickly launch myself out of my chair and walk over to Tara. She turns to me, fear rolling off her. I want to hug her, comfort her, but I don't know how. Buffy and Willow are seated at the table, embraced in a tight hug. I sigh, watching the blonde leave. I turn, and let out a snarl.
"She isn't going home. Not if I can help it," I growl. I sit down again at the table.
"It is her family, Faith," Buffy says. I glare at her, and she visibly flinches. I soften my glare, but still look at her hard.
"What would you do if you saw Willow's mother talking to her like that?" I ask, knowing full well what Buffy would do.
"Faith..." Buffy says, all but admitting it. I nod my head, suddenly feeling the need to punch something. Giles must've sensed my mood.
"You can train in the backroom. It's a little, erm, dilapidated, but it's functional enough," Giles stammers out. I nod my head, and just walk right into the room.
~~~BTVS~~~
I was outside, walking around, bored. I'm walking past a tree when I hear voices, one rising in volume. I stay hidden, pressing myself against the tree.
"You selfish bitch. Your Dad and Donny have to fend for themselves while you're down here living God knows what lifestyle. Are you a witch? I bet you are. Just like your Mother. You think you can hide? Did you do a spell on them? I can't believe you. Your Dad's gonna pop," I heard the higher voice say, turning to walk away.
"N-No! D-Don't tell h-him, p-p-please. I o-only did it to h-hide the d-d-demon part," whimpered Tara. I frown, wondering what the hell she means by demon part. She's too innocent to be a demon, right? I turn away, and head back to the Magic Shop.
~~~BTVS~~~
I walk a bit slowly, I'll admit. I'm too busy thinking back to what Tara said. Her being part demon. If she were part demon, wouldn't I have sensed it though? I frown; still puzzled that this isn't making any sense to me. I open the door, to the sight of Buffy fighting something invisible. Suddenly, the demons appear. Three of them and I can see Tara crouch next to the front desk. Buffy dispatches one of the demons as Spike enters from the back. I watch him take out another demon, and see the third charging at me. I whirl around to see Mr. Maclay, Beth, and Donny all enter. The demon charges past me, as Mr. Maclay scrambles back against the door. I grab the demon; toss him backwards to Buffy who promptly snaps its neck. I glare at Mr. Maclay, Beth, and Donny. I then look at Tara with a frown; Buffy is looking at her with a little more anger. Tara rises to her feet.
"I-I'll go," she stammers. I frown again and step forward.
"Wha-" I begin, but get cut off by a smirking Mr. Maclay. I turn around, fist clenched.
"The women in our family have demon in them. We came to take Tara away before something like t-this happened," Mr. Maclay announces to us. I turn to Tara in surprise.
"W-what? B-But," I stammer, trying to wrap my mind around the events of what's going on. Spike walks forward with a smirk.
"Demon huh?" he asks. I eye him, wondering what he's going to do. I'm sure the rest of the gang is curious too, since all eyes are on him. He taps Tara on the shoulder. She turns to look at him, and gets hit in the nose. I growl, starting to charge at Spike, even if he does seem to be in pain. Willow freezes me though.
"She's not a demon! It hurt...uh, the punch that is, hurt Spike! That only works on humans," she says, grinning proudly. I stand there, in shock. I think my brain's stopped sending messages to my body.
"She's coming home," snaps Donny. I grin to myself, just daring him to touch her. He grabs her by the wrist. She struggles to break free. I march forward, Buffy instantly knowing what I'm up to. I glance at her, wondering if she'll break it up, but she stays where she is. I tap Donny on the shoulder. He drops Tara and turns to look at me. I grin. Then proceed to knock him out with a hard right. I pick him up and toss him at the feet of Mr. Maclay and Beth. I glare at them.
"Leave. I ever see you, any of you, again...you really don't want to try that," I warn. They both grab Donny, dragging him out of the Magic Box. I turn around, flexing my hand to make sure it's not broken. Suddenly, a blonde is hugging me fiercely. I smile, and pat her on the back.
"It's cool, Tara," I murmur, a little embarrassed at the gesture of affection. Tara breaks it off and blushes. I just nod my head, taking a seat at the table. I nod at Spike who nods back. He promptly leaves. I catch Buffy and Willow sneaking glances at each other. I roll my eyes. They look at me.
"Just kiss already," I mutter, finally glad that they just did it, as I hear kissing. My hands are covering my eyes of course.