“So, you and Willow get along okay the other night?” Buffy asked Tara, sipping her latte.
“It wasn’t too bad. I don’t know where it’s going, but at least we talked. And she really is struggling with the magic. I think it was good for her, that we got through it without her.” She took a nibble from her chocolate croissant.
“She still loves you.”
“I know.” Tara picked a piece of the chocolate from her croissant. “I love her too.” She looked at Buffy. “Speaking of…I think you and Spike looked really cute together.”
“Cute? What? No. Nothing me and Spike is cute.”
“Oh, yeah? When I walked in on you in the hall, I thought that was cute. And when I teased him, I swear he was blushing.” She drank some of her cafe mocha.
“Vampires do not blush. And what do you mean, teased him? What does he know you know?”
“Nothing.” She grinned. “And it was driving him crazy. Anyway, how did he get hurt?”
Buffy blanched. “Spike’s hurt? When?”
“You know, that massive black eye. What happened? Something get him while you guys were patrolling?”
Buffy sighed. “Not exactly.”
Tara’s eyes went wide. “He didn’t get in a bar fight, did he?”
“No.” Buffy looked down at the table, unable to meet her friend’s eyes. “I hit him.”
“What? I didn’t hear you.”
“I hit him,” she exclaimed. “Over and over and over. And he just lay there, taking it. He didn’t want me to turn myself in to the police. I beat him and I beat him, and his face was so swollen he couldn’t even see anymore.” Tears poured down Buffy’s face. “I told you I’m wrong. How could I do that? How could I do that to someone I…”
“Love?” Tara grew quiet. “You have to deal with this, Buffy. He’ll take almost anything you dish out. I’ve never seen a more patient man. But you need to deal with it, for you. I’m not going to tell you it was a horrible thing to do, because I think you know that.” She placed her hand on Buffy’s. “You have to tell him.”
“I’m afraid.”
“I know. Love’s scary.” She pulled a flake from the croissant and dropped it on the table. “Which I shouldn’t even say, because I’m not dealing myself right now.” She looked Buffy in the eye. “Go talk to him. I’d like one of us at least to be in a less screwed up relationship.”
“I hate to dump you.” Buffy was already starting to take her purse and stand.
Tara stood as well. “Don’t worry. I have a movie date with Clem.”
“Spike’s friend?” Buffy stuttered. “A date?”
“Not like that, Tara smiled. “We really hit it off. We’re going to see The Shipping News. Turns out we’re both big Julianne Moore fans. For different reasons, of course.”
“Julianne Moore?” Buffy asked, putting on her jacket.
“What can I say?” Tara replied. “I have a thing for redheads.”