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.
Willow’s head spun as she regained consciousness, she opened her eyes slowly expecting to see her room, but seeing something completely different. Her surroundings were unfamiliar and the harsh noises of people rushing and organizing could be heard. She nuzzled further into the softness of whatever it was she was layed on, finding comfort in the contact her eyes drifted upwards towards her pillow to notice it wasn’t a pillow at all.
She stumbled back out of the arms of Tara.
“Sorry I.......I was.... I was.......what....”
“Shhhh” Tara soothed pulling the confused redhead back into a warm embrace. “Do you remember what happened?” her voice was kind and calming.
Willow closed her eyes and relaxed in Tara’s arms allowing herself to be comforted by her partner, she ran her mind through many memories until the most recent events popped up and the realisation hit at what had happened.
“He... with the...and then you.... and then I....” her hands broke free from the blanket surrounding her and waved about frantically. “Oh God! ...”
Tara smiled at how Willow had just said three sentences using nine words yet made it completely understandable. “The guy I shot lived in the alley, he thought you were coming to take him away so by stabbing you he reasoned he’d get to stay in his home, twisted but true. He’s on his way to the hospital.” She explained “ Forensics here doing the scene.... I just hope we didn’t disturb anything.”
“Yeah.” The redhead agreed “so that’s two murders in two days, you think they’re linked?”
Tara shrugged her answer. “So are you ok, I mean do you feel ok? ....near death situations and all.” She allowed her hand to softly stroke the red tresses.
Willow smiled appreciatively at her partner. “I’m fine, just a little shaken.”
“Ok, well how about we go talk to detective Reed and then get you home.”
The redhead stood allowing Tara to get up and out of the ambulance where they had been sitting, the paramedics had checked Willow’s vitals to make sure the shock wasn’t too severe and didn’t require any further treatment.
The smaller officer smiled when Tara wrapped her arm around her once out of the ambulance and she leant against her partner glad of the comfort.
“Rosenberg,” the detective addressed the officer she knew before introducing herself to the blonde. “You must be officer Maclay? ....I’m detective Noemi Reed, pleasure to meet you. I understand both you girls got the news that I requested you to work with me on the murder of Karl Lucas, he’s the guy you found yesterday morning.”
“Yes ma’am.” The blonde officer confirmed.
The detective looked at Tara appreciatively, her hazel eyes studying her colleague. “Good, although it looks like our work load just got doubled.” The woman informed, brushing her long brown hair out of her face. She was about mid thirties, her eyes starting to show signs of aging although her thin figured body and style of clothing could lead you believe she was younger.
“So you think these murders are connected?” Willow spoke for the first time, tired of the detectives appreciative looks at Tara’s obvious assets.
“Yeah I do although we’ll know for sure tomorrow, forensics are gunna get straight on it” she turned her attention back to the blonde, “listen why don’t you take your partner home, make sure she’s all right and come in tomorrow around eleven, it’s been quite an ordeal.” She said before being dragged away by another officer.
“Am I invisible?” the redhead pouted.
Tara chuckled and shook her head. “With that hair you must be joking.”
The blonde got another officer to drive them to Willow’s home, thanking him as she helped her partner out of the vehicle. Willow had insisted she would be ok, but like Xander Tara stood firm in wanting to make sure.
The blonde was quite shocked when she saw her partners house, she had expected a small apartment like her own, she supposed she could also have a house if she wanted, but with living on her own she didn’t see the point.
Wrapping her arm around Willow’s waist she lead her up the pathway to the front door where the redhead searched her pockets for her keys and unlocked it.
* * * * * * * * * *
Tara had gotten Willow settled into bed to take a well-earned rest while she cooked dinner in the houses spacious kitchen, she had also called the precinct and asked for Xander, informing him of what had happened so he could come straight to Willow’s after his shift.
The redhead had slept for well over an hour, refreshed and revitalised by her nap she woke to the sound of water running and a soft humming noise.
“Hey.” Tara greeted softly.
“Hi.” The redhead smiled, stretching her body and pushing away the bed covers she sighed. “That was a very nice sleep. Have you been ok?”
“Yes,” the blonde confirmed “ this house is wonderful... I cooked inner, I hope you don’t mind, oh and ran you a bath. Thought you might want to relax.”
Willow looked at the virtuous face of her new partner and a pang of guilt ran through her mind at the way she had been treating the woman who had only hours ago saved her life.
“Tara I think we need to talk.... I kind of owe you an apology and a great big thank you....”
“No really.” The blonde interrupted. “It’s all water under the bridge.”
“Water under the bridge? ..... Tara please I treated you so badly, then you go and save my life I.... I’m a horrible horrible person.... no scrap that.. I’m THE horrible person. I’m the exact epitome of horrible.” Willow stood from the bed and paced her room, her hands gesturing wildly. “ Here you are all cute and nice and trying to be my friend whilst saving my life, but here I am practically telling you to go back to Alabama... how can you say it’s water under the bridge? .. don’t you want to hit me? .....yeah you can hit me maybe that would make you forgive me?”
Tara chuckled at the neurotic redhead. “Willow, sit please.” she tapped a space beside her on the bed.
The redhead did as she was instructed and filled the space.
“Willow, I do forgive you....whatever reason you had for being ..well...hostile I’m sure to you it was a good reason.... So lets just forget everything and start again, deal?”
“Deal.” The smaller woman agreed after only a moments thought.
“Good because if you’re mean to me again, I’ll kick your ass.” The blonde said before standing and leaving Willow in the room.
The redhead nodded her head before she realised what had been said. “Oh you so could not kick my ass!” she snorted running after her partner.
Willow had relaxed in the bath whilst Tara dished out dinner, she set the table and made sure to make a place for Xander after he had called and informed the blonde that he was on his way. The redhead got out of the bath and quickly changed. She didn’t want to be half naked in front of her partner, once was enough. She wasn’t normally introverted about her body, but for some reason she was around Tara.
The doorbell rang and the redhead came bouncing down the stairs to answer it.
“Xander!” Willow beamed, pulling him into a hug.
“Hey Will” he greeted whilst checking her over, there appeared to be no marks on her from what he could tell.
“I’m fine.” She assured, knowing exactly what he was doing.
Taking a step back he looked once more and when he was satisfied with what he saw he nodded and handed Willow a bag he was holding. “For you.” He stated.
“Ooo really? ...what is it chocolate? ... oh oh is it chocolate?” she asked excitedly, digging into the bag. “Mm chocolate. I’ll save them for after dinner, thank you... what’s in the other bag?”
“You’re welcome......this is just a little something for our hero. Speaking of which, where is she?” he asked, moving through the hall, and through the living room to where the kitchen was. He saw the blonde stood in front of the back door which lead out to the garden and snuck up behind her, she was obviously in pensive thought.
“Hi.” He quietly spoke so as not to startle her.
“Hey.” She greeted him with a smile, turning to face him.
“How are you feeling today?” he questioned, referring to her injuries sustained the night before.
“Much better thanks to you....just bruises, nothing major. What’s in the bag?” she asked eyeing what was in his hand.
“Oh this? ....errrr... this is just a little house warming gift for our hero, I was gunna give it to you later, but well....” he handed her the bag.
“For me? ....oh wow...Xander thank you that was so thoughtful... I....I don’t know what to say...”
“Ah, forget about it the smile on your face is enough. So errrrr dinner?” he asked changing the subject, shy from his own actions.
“Yeah, I thought while Willow was resting I’d cook, you know make her feel better... besides she looks like she could use a little fattening up....”
“She is perfectly fine thank you and does not need fattening up.” The redhead protested, walking into the room.
“Face it Will, you are a little on the ...err” Xander searched for a word that would least likely get him into trouble. “Slim?”
The redhead rolled her eyes “If you say so .... lets just have a nice dinner and the two of you can tell me what happened between you last night.” She didn’t care to admit that her curiosity was starting to get the better of her as to what had happened the night before, she knew Xander had taken a shine to her new partner, the fact that she was a blonde haired, blue-eyed woman pretty much sealed that, but she also new Xander’s liking of her new partner was more of an attraction then a friendship however she could not work out if Tara liked Xander the same way, the blonde’s behaviour toward the young man was nothing but friendly which was obviously to be expected, but there was no sign that she was attracted to her best friend. Willow kept brushing the unanswered questions out of her head although she noticed it was getting harder to do.
* * * * * * * * * *
The dinner had gone nicely and Xander was glad the tension between the two women had dissipated although he had noticed the particular grilling he was getting from Willow about the night before, she seemed to be extremely interested about what had happened and the questions had ranged from ‘what were you doing out at night?’ to ‘why did you stay at Tara’s house? ’ and ‘where did you sleep?’ Willow’s displeasure that he had stayed the night was evident, but he made sure to state clearly to his best friend that it was for the blondes sake only. Tara just sat back and watched the two friends banter, their way of communicating was very entertaining to the blonde as Xander joked and Willow seemed to understand the meaning behind the jokes. She wasn’t sure why the redhead was so eager to know the details she just supposed it was down to Willow’s ‘neurotic’ ways.
The blonde smiled at the word neurotic as she watched her partner verbally sparing with her friend, Willow was a hard person to get to know, but Tara knew she wanted to get to know this woman and her neurotic ways, for the way Willow had treated the blonde in the past two weeks, Tara new there was more to her partner... there was a caring woman whose green eyes could have the capability of melting her with just one look. She liked the way Willow presented herself as a successful, self assured, determined woman but Tara had seen the caring Willow, the vulnerable Willow and she had also had a glimpse of the insecure Willow who babbled. The more layers’ Tara managed to peel off Willow’s persona the more she liked her partner.
“Hey Tara? ... Tara? .....”
“Huh? ....” the blonde was pulled out of her reverie by a gentle tap on her shoulder.
“You were gone for about five minutes there and I thought only Will did that...was we boring you?” Xander joked.
“Oh god no, I’m so sorry.... I guess I’m tired, long day and everything.” She apologised, rubbing her hands over her face. “I should do the dishes then head home.”
“Hey don’t be stupid, you’re the guest here I mean it’s bad enough that you cooked and practically took care of me all afternoon there’s no way I’m going to allow you to do the dishes.” Willow’s face was the very picture of resolve. “In fact I should be doing stuff for you....what do you want me to do? ....anything I’ll do it” she thought for a moment. “Only if it doesn’t involve ponies or frogs.”
Tara chuckled at her partner choosing to ignore the comment about ponies and frogs. “Really there’s nothing, although Xander and I were going to get together at my apartment and get me unpacked with pizza and beer....maybe we could take a rain check today because it is getting kinda late, and do it some other time when you can help?”
“You haven’t unpacked yet?” the redhead asked in surprise, if it was her she would have been unpacked before she even moved in. “Ok, so we’ll get together and unpack you, sounds like a date..... I mean plan.... sounds like a plan.” She giggled self consciously at her mistake.
“Ok,” the blonde smiled. “Is it ok if I use your phone to call a cab?”
“Hey, I’ll drive you home. I am a man and I have wheels....I’m a man-wheels.... ok that wasn’t funny.” Xander offered, but felt stupid and his unfunny rambling.
“You really are bizarre.” Tara stated with a frown.
* * * * * * * * * *
“I really can’t express how much I owe you for saving Will, Tara. She means everything to me and I don’t know what I would do without her.” Xander thanked the blonde with a heartfelt sincerity that almost made her eyes water as he drove her home.
“Really Xander it’s my job. Any officer would have done the same.” She assured.
“Still, you know....big thank you. So ummm.... if you, you know, if you want we could do something.... like dinner or a movie... or both... I could take you out to show my appreciation?” he offered, praying internally that she would say yes.
“Erm....you mean like on a date?”
“Yes, like a date.” He confirmed, still praying.
Tara squirmed uncomfortably in her seat as she tried to think of a way to inform him that he wasn’t her type without hurting his feelings or his ego. “That’s.....that’s really nice of you Xander, but....”
“But? ...”
“But, honestly.... you’re not my type.” She decided to be forthright was the best course of action.
“What? ....why?” he asked dejectedly, his ego starting to bruise. “What’s wrong with me?” he whined.
The blonde chuckled at his childlike way of asking. “Well it’s not that you specifically aren’t my type. It’s that the entire male species isn’t my type.” She clarified.
Xander nodded his head then the realisation of the confession sunk in. “Ooohhhh, so you’re not rejecting me.. You’re rejecting all men? that makes me feel better... so does this mean you’re gay? .... el lesbiano?”
“Yes.” She answered with a hearty laugh. “Although I’m not sure lesbiano is a word.”
“So do you have one of those gaydars? ... can you tell who’s gay and who isn’t? Because Willow says that she doesn’t have one....”
“Willow’s gay?” the blonde interrupted in surprise. Clearly she didn’t have a gaydar because this came as a total shock. Her speculation that maybe Willow and Xander were together was wrong.
“Oops...err... I really should keep my mouth shut.” The young man kicked himself mentally. If Tara didn’t know that Willow was gay then it wasn’t his place to tell her.
“No, no it’s ok. I guess Willow and I have more in common than I thought.”
“Yeah....I guess, so err. This is your stop.” he indicated that they had arrived at the blondes’ apartment. Glad they couldn’t discuss the topic further.
She noticed his uneasiness and dropped the subject. “Thank you for the ride and the gift Xander.” leaning over she kissed him on the cheek softly before opening the door and exiting the car.
He rubbed his face where Tara had kissed him and sighed. “The best ones are always gay.”
To Be Continued....
sorry I didn’t mean to get you worried although growling at your computer?.. that’s bordering on neurotic too! 
Thank you.
i told you they dont have a problem with those tiny mistakes....
pls continue...i love this story..stands up and dispunge the tears*
.
at: 8/21/03 7:22 pm
OMG! 
finding out that 
is gay too. 
more. Update soon, please? 
your gaydar has no batteries?... mine has Duracell, yeah.. I can tell when a man is gay but when it comes to woman I’m as useless as an ashtray on a motorbike as far as my gaydar goes. 