Title: Justice Of The Peace
Author: Auburn
Email: GemmaQT@hotmail.comRating: this part is PG-13
Discalimer: I own nothing except my imagination, if you want this story tell me where it's going.
Feedback: If you want to leave it, I will read it.
Summary: (AU) Willow and Tara are both police officers in Sunnydale, California. Tara has just been transferred from Alabama. together they face untold dangers. and become closer whilst doing it.
UPDATE
Tara waited outside a crypt in one of Sunnydale’s many cemeteries waiting for an unsuspecting vampire to walk out and straight into her. She had been waiting for an hour, and the game was getting old, but she knew there were more than one vamp in that crypt, better not risk it.
The door of the old cement building creaked open, the noise sounding like a scream in the still of the night made the blonde prepare herself for a fight. She needed to trap the malicious demon.
The blonde stood patiently as the vampire strolled from the crypt with confidence and a deadly glint in his eyes and Tara crept out from the side and followed it, every step taken with full caution as the creature lead her onto the streets. She saw an alley and prayed that it had a dead-end and waited until the vampire began to walk past it.
Quickly the blonde grabbed the demon with both arms wrapped around it’s neck and pulled it down the narrow alley, spinning it around and throwing it against the wall, blocking the entrance she smiled to herself seeing no other way out.
The vampire shook it’s head, stunned and eyed the woman stood in it’s way. It stepped forward with the intention of pushing past her, but the cross Tara thrust in it’s direction made the creature stagger back, a growl coming from it’s throat.
“What do you want?” it snapped.
“Information.” Tara answered simply.
“I don’t have any.”
Pulling the stake out of her coat pocket she swizzled it in her hand “how do you know you don’t have any information if I haven’t asked you anything yet?”
The creature shrugged and weighed his options.... there really weren’t any. “What do you want to know?”
“I want to know about these murders that have been happening.... what’s doing it....what demon is playing a nasty little game that I’m tired of playing?” she asked, her voice was eerily calm as she looked the vampire in the eye.
"I don't know..."
“Liar!” the blonde shouted, throwing the cross at the creature. It’s instinct was to catch the object and it snarled in pain dropping the cross quickly. Tara pulled another cross out of her pocket and quickly thrust it back in vamps direction. “Now tell me the truth!”
“It’s not a demon.... it’s a human.... a cursed human... that’s all I know”
Tara nodded her head, believing the creature and stepped aside indicating it could leave, but as it passed her she stuck the wooden stake into it’s heart and watched it turn to dust.
“Sucker.” She snickered.
* * * * * * * * * *
The rest of the week had gone quickly and no murders had taken place, every source of evidence had dried up, effectively bringing the case to a holt. It was frustrating for all involved, but without any leads nothing could be done and the murderer roamed free. It was a waiting game and that was the one thing Willow hated most. Waiting.
Xander and Willow were sprawled across Tara’s couch watching cartoons whilst Tara sat crossed legged on the floor emptying the contents of a box and deciding where they should go. She scowled at the two slackers who were supposed to be helping and deciding to point that fact out.
“Aren’t you two gunna to get up and let your ass’ breathe?”
“What?....nah....you’re doing a great job.” Xander answered without taking his eyes off the screen. Tom and Jerry were diving around in a blend of colour across the square entertainment system.
“Wasn’t this supposed to be a ‘getting me unpacked night?’ ‘Cause I gotta tell ya, Tom and Jerry aren’t going to help me.”
“You sound just like my mom.” The young man teased and received a scowl from the blonde. Her eyebrows knitted together looked more cute then intimidating.
“Ok.” he chuckled “let me just see Jerry kick .....oh oh there it is!”
Fits of giggles erupted from Willow then she composed herself and cleared her throat. Embarrassed that she had laughed at a cartoon.
“So, boxes.” She stood from the couch and made her way to where the blonde was sat.
“Yeah, Boxes.” Tara repeated
although Xander’s eyes were fixed to the Tv screen his ears were listening intently to what was happening around him.
“Which box do you want me to unpack?..... I don’t wanna open one and find a bunch of panties staring back at me... not that I’m saying your underwear wouldn’t be nice to look at, it’s just you know awkward underwear moment... I’d be more comfortable opening a box and finding cups or plates, the less embarrassing stuff...because...”
“Willow!” Xander exclaimed, deciding to help his friend out with her babble-fest. He then smiled at Tara to let her know now was the time to speak.
“This box.” She said, pushing it across the floor towards the redhead.
“Great... greatie great great” Willow smiled and took a place on the floor a comfortable distance away from her partner.
Silence surrounded them and the only noises that could be heard were the TV and rustling of boxes being moved or disturbed. Xander was starting to feel just as uncomfortable as his two friends, sitting there in the chair he folded and unfolded his arms whilst thinking of a way to ease the tension. He knew about their conversation in the parking lot earlier that week, in fact both women had discussed the incident with him on a few occasions, but neither knew where to go from here.
“I just remembered.” he said, a light bulb shining in his head. “I was supposed to meet some of the guys at the bar tonight and do the guy thing, I hope you don’t mind, but I really should be going.” With that he stood and abruptly left the apartment leaving Willow and Tara looking at the door. They turned to each other and realised why he had suddenly got up and left.
“That’s Xander, as subtle as a flourescent billboard.” Willow chuckled.
“I guess he wants us to talk.... or something.” The blonde agreed nodding her head for emphasis.
“Yeah, I guess....”
Quiet filled the room once again as both women thought about who should speak first, finally Tara decided to take the initiative.
“I...... I don’t know what you want from me?” she confessed.
“What I want from you?” the redheads face contorted in confusion.
“You were jealous of Reed wether you admit it to me or you don’t, but what does that mean?....does it mean you like me?”
“If I can’t admit I was jealous what makes you think I’d admit it if I liked you?”
“Well, Willow you’re going to have to admit something because we can’t go on the way we are. It’s affecting our jobs and that isn’t right.... think about it.” Tara stated before getting up and walking to the kitchen.
Willow sat for a moment taken back by the question and the way it had been asked so direct. She allowed her mind to process and think about the answer. Since Tara had arrived Willow’s world had been changing, slowly but surely. Day by day. Before Tara every night the redhead layed in her bed alone, but when Tara arrived she had been laying in her bed physically alone, but mentally accompanied by those blue eyes that held so much emotion. Willow was scared because the answer to this very question could change everything maybe for better, maybe for worse, but was she willing to take a risk?
“I do.” She answered honestly her voice barely a whisper.
Tara turned to face the woman sat on the floor at the other end of her apartment, she wasn’t sure if she had heard Willow correctly or if her ears were playing nasty tricks on her the redhead’s voice had been so low so she checked.
“What?”
Willow rolled her eyes at having to repeat herself “I said I do...... like you that is.... I do.” her voice grew quieter towards the end of the sentence and her shoulders slumped a little.
The blonde nodded her head slowly and walked across the room towards the redhead, with each step her mind contemplated her next corse of action and she stopped when she stood only inches from where Willow was sat. Kneeling down Tara brought her hand up to Willow’s face brushing a stray strand of red hair that had escaped the restraints of the clip holding the rest of the hair back then she cupped willows cheek in her palm, feeling the soft skin, warm and smooth.
Willow’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched the blonde’s angelic face only inches from hers own, she watched as Tara studied her skin with her palm and felt the woman’s warm breathe bathing her lips. There wasn’t any time for her to think, for her to gain coherent thought about what was happening before Tara’s lips were pressed firmly against her own and branding them hers.
Tara’s lips were delicately soft, but firm in their ministrations as they teased the ruby lips of the other woman and were slightly parted locking them tenaciously together.
The redhead’s breath caught in her throat at the feel of the blonde’s lips on hers, she had to remind herself to breathe and relaxed a little as Tara’s thumb began to stroke lightly on her cheek bone. Bringing her hand up to the blonde’s waist Willow decided she wanted to taste Tara’s mouth and capture it as Tara had captured her own, parting her lips further she waiting until the blonde followed and took the opportunity to dip her tongue partially into Tara’s mouth exploring the warmth and moisture within.
They fell into a rhythm of gentle exploration of each others mouths as their tongues probed and sought out softness, warmth and moisture with a tenderness that revealed want and need. Tara had started the kiss with worry not knowing how Willow would react, but was now kissing the other woman’s mouth with confidence learning different ways to make the redhead react as the hold on her hip tightened and pulled her closer.
The phone ringing brought both women back to reality and they parted their lips softly, not letting the shrill of the ring spoil the moment. Looking into green eyes Tara searched for any regret, but was greeted with a new kind of green she had never seen present in her partners eyes. Never losing eye contact with the other woman Tara reached behind her to the coffee table and picked up the cordless phone, answering it.
“Hello? ....Yes this is Maclay, she’s here..... ok we’ll be right over.”
Willow looked at the blonde with questioning.
“That was Mack, he just called Reed.” Tara explained. “There’s been another murder.”
* * * * * * * * * *
Willow and Tara ducked under the yellow police tape around the perimeter of the scene of the crime. The area was full of police officers in uniform talking to the public trying to gather as much information as possible. Sirens on patrol cars were switched off, but the blue light illuminated the street and flashed in onlookers faces.
Seeing detective Reed walk under the yellow tape the two women made their way over to her.
“Detective?... what’s going on?” Tara asked.
“Another murder. Man late 20's, he was found by a neighbour laying on the curb.” she explained. “Get statements from people out here then meet me back at the precinct, ok?”
The two women nodded their assent and got pens and writing pads from two officers currently trying to keep the onlookers behind the yellow tape then drove to the precinct.
* * * * * * * * * *
Detective Reed sat in her office going over the evidence gathered once again. It seemed to her that the killer was playing a game, leaving little clues behind after each murder, he or she wanted the police to figure out who they were, but in their own time and only when they had finished what they set out to do.
She was interrupted by a light knock on the door and called for the culprit to come in.
“Good you’re here. Take a seat I’ll brief you on the latest murder now so we can get straight on it tomorrow.” The women stated to the two officers that had entered her office and motioned for them to take a seat. “This latest murder was done by our killer who has been appropriately named ‘the author’ because of their ability to understand that pen and fucking paper can be used to write on.”
Willow and Tara side-glanced each other both because of the language and level the detectives voice had risen towards the end of her sentence.
“Sooo.... what did he leave this time?” Willow asked once she was sure the woman had calmed down.
“A piece of paper with the letter ‘K’ on it... I have no idea why and a handwriting expert said just one letter isn’t enough to get any information from so we’re back to square fucking one, no clue as to who the killer might be or why he/she is doing it.”
“Forensics have covered the scene and they got nothing so we can’t check the records for any fingerprint matches, I’m waiting on the autopsy report which won’t be here until tomorrow afternoon at the latest and that will determine the cause of death, although it’s safe to say it will probably be one single slash to the throat.” The detective gave out a sigh of defeat.
“Just patrol the area tomorrow, see if there is anybody looking suspicious, question the residents again, there’s gotta be something.”
“Yes ma’am.” They said in unison and arose from their seats.
“Oh and Tara,” the detective stopped the blonde before exiting “can I speak to you a second?”
“Umm... of course.” She answered hesitantly. Had she done something wrong?
“I’ll wait for you outside.” The redhead stated then closed the door behind her.
“Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad. I was just wondering what you were doing tomorrow after work?” Reed questioned, standing from her chair and walking around her desk to stand in front of the blonde.
“I... I... I..” Tara knew what was coming, but she didn’t want it to, did she wear a banner on her head saying ‘hello I’m Tara and I’m gay?’ Sure Noemi Reed was an attractive woman, but the blonde wasn’t interested, the lingering tingle left from the redhead’s lips made her think of the kiss that had left her breathless and only confirmed to her what she really wanted. Willow. But if she said no to Reed would this affect their working relationship?
“I’m not doing anything...”
“Well would you like to have dinner with me?... maybe a movie?” the detective asked, full of hope.
“Thanks....” but I’m kind of seeing someone.
“Great!” the woman cut the blonde off before she could finish her sentence, quickly ushering a stunned and wordless Tara out of her office, she closed the door and smiled to herself.
Tara stood with her back to the office door not really sure what to do, but she knew she couldn’t and really didn’t want to go on a date with Detective Reed.
Willow eyed the blonde with a curious glare as she scanned the pale feature of her partners face, but when Tara didn’t move the redhead began to worry.
“What’s the matter?.... what did she do?.... are you ok?... do you want me to go beat her...”
“What?.. err.. No... err...”
“Tara, what happened?...” Willow asked, taking the blondes hand in her own and leading them down the corridor and to her car.
“Reed asked me on a date.” She answered with a sigh.
“What?!” the redhead exclaimed with a large amount of disbelief in her voice, her heart started to thump in her chest as she found herself not wanting, yet wanting to know what Tara’s answer had been to the question. “What was your answer?” her curiousness got the better of her.
“I meant to say no, I mean I did say no, but she mistook me when I said thanks and then wouldn’t let me finish.... Willow I don’t want to go on a date with her. I want to go on a date with you.” Before the blonde had thought about what was coming out of her mouth it was too late, the revelation had already passed her lips and was floating in the air waiting for a response from the smaller officer.
To Be Continued....
Edited by: Auburn at: 8/31/03 3:41 pm