Title: "Suspicious Minds" - Sequel to "Making Her Mine"
Author: Chani
Disclaimer:  Spike and Tara belong to Joss, but I would love to fight him
for Spike.
Distribution: If you want it, take it, but keep my name on it and send me
the URL.
Rating: R, I think... if not, NC-17
‘Ship:  Spike/Tara
Timing: toward the end of Season 4
Summary: Buffy is getting suspicious about Tara.
Notes:  If you haven’t read the first one, lemme know and I’ll repost it.
Feedback: Don’t make me beg for it.
***
Suspicious Minds
Sequel to "Making Her Mine"
By Chani <mailto:spikeskitten@yahoo.com>
***
"Giles, I’m telling you, something is going on with Tara.  She’s not acting
right, hasn’t been for over a month.  I mean, just look at how she dresses.
She would have never worn leather before.  And don’t even get me started on
the makeup.  She went from wearing none at all to making herself up like
a... a... a ho’!!  I really believe she’s possessed!"  Buffy, hands on hips,
waited for his response.

It was on the tip of his tongue to tell the girl that Tara’s method of
applying makeup looked quite similar to that of Buffy’s method, but he
decided he liked his teeth too much.  Instead, Giles just stared at the
slayer with an annoyed look on his face.  After school ended, Riley had gone
to Iowa to visit his family, and Buffy had been curing her boredom by
sticking her nose into everyone’s business.  It had only been a couple of
weeks, but it was really beginning to grate on his nerves.  "Buffy, I think
it would be beneficial to you if you found a new hobby.  Have you ever
considered tennis?"

"Tennis???  Tennis???" the slayer screeched.  She walked over to him and
tapped on his head.  "Giles??  Are you in there?  The Giles I know would
never be talking about tennis while I’m talking about possible demon-y
things."

Giles rolled his eyes and resisted the temptation to smack Buffy.  He felt
bad for the girl -- in a way.  When she got involved with Riley, she devoted
all of her time to him and neglected her friends.  Now they all had other
lives and Riley was gone for most of the summer.  That left her with too
much time and not enough to do.  "You believe Tara is a demon?  Oh please,
Buffy.  You apparently have too much time on your hands."  He paused long
enough to gently push her toward the door.  "I, however, do not have that
luxury.  Olivia is due here any moment, and I’d like to make this weekend
as... pleasurable... as possible."

Buffy found herself outside Giles’ apartment, and was none too pleased.
"But Giles..."

"I’ll talk to you about it on Tuesday, after I take Olivia back to the
airport.  Have a good weekend!"

At that, he closed the door.  "He just threw me out," she muttered to
herself, walking aimlessly away from the apartment complex.  She sighed to
herself and considered her options.  There was no way she could wait until
Tuesday, because she knew something was wrong, and she had a feeling it was
getting ready to come to a head.  She’d just have to do some digging on her
own and see if she could find some help.  "I’m right.  I know I am.
Something is definitely going on with Tara.  And I’m gonna find out what it
is."

*****

Spike turned off the television and threw the remote across the room.  He
checked the time on the clock for the sixth time in less than fifteen
minutes, and started stomping around Angel’s mansion... no, now it was his
mansion.  He figured there was no sense sleeping in a crypt when this nice
roomy house was open.  He looked at the clock again.  She was almost an hour
late, and that really pissed him off.

"Bloody hell woman, where are you?" he yelled, looking around for something
to throw, but stopped when he heard the door creak.  His gaze slowly shifted
to the door in time to see his blonde goddess close it behind her.

"I’m sorry I’m late, Spike," Tara said in a soft voice as she moved slowly
to him.  "I just couldn’t get away from Wil..." His deep growl cut her off.
"I couldn’t get away."  She reached for him, but instead grabbed his black
t-shirt and pulled it over his head.  Her eyes and hands slowly moved up his
torso, then she wrapped her arms around his waist.  "I’ll make it up to
 you."

He had to hand it to her.  She had gotten ballsy in the two months they had
been seeing each other.  No more hiding her eyes... no more stuttering... well,
except for when she was nervous, or passionate.  And her confidence showed
now, thanks to him.  But right now, she had some making up to do.  "You’d
better," he growled as his mouth came down on hers.  He kissed her hard and
his hands roamed her body, as he allowed his fury and passion to mix.

She moaned softly, her body responding to his rough touch, and pressed
herself against him even more.  She needed him... she wanted him... more than she
ever dreamed she could.  She loved the way he made love to her, when his
touch was gentle... and especially when it was not.  Today, she knew it would
not be gentle.

He wordlessly tore her shirt and bra from her body, still not breaking the
kiss.  Her hands moved up to his face and pulled him even deeper into the
kiss, and her tongue started to explore his mouth in the same violent manner
he had been exploring hers.  He let her control the kiss as he reached
behind her and slowly unzipped her skirt, pushing it over her hips and
letting it drop to the floor.  He gripped her tight buttocks, digging his
fingers into them, and broke the kiss.

"Spiiike, please," she protested breathlessly against his mouth.

"Did you shag her?" he whispered, not letting her lips touch his.

"No.  I can’t... be... with... anyone but you."  Her tongue started outlining his
lips while her hips were grinding against his, her wetness leaving a damp
spot on his jeans.  Her hands moved to his jeans and undid them, pulling his
throbbing passion free.  She needed to feel him inside her... she couldn’t wait
any more.

"Look at me, little one," he said sternly, trying to keep control.  When her
mouth didn’t move away from his, he smacked her hard on the ass.  Her head
shot up and met his gaze, her passion and need evident in her glazed eyes.
He grabbed her by the waist and lifted her up, entering her completely as he
brought her back down.

"Spike,! she moaned, not daring to avert her eyes from his.  She wrapped her
legs tightly around his back, trying to pull him into her even deeper,
causing Spike to growl softly.

He spun them around and brought her back crashing into the wall.  "You’re
mine," he snarled.  "Only mine.  Don’t you ever forget that."

She shook her head at him and said, "I won’t... ever.  Please..."

He smiled and thrust into her hard, his mouth finding hers as she let out a
whimper.  She cried out in protest as he pulled out of her and thrust into
her again, even harder than the last time.  His thrusts came fast, as he
slammed into her furiously, but she was meeting each thrust with her own.

"Goddess, Spike..." she breathed, pulling her mouth away from his.  She
threaded her fingers through his hair and pulled him closer.  "I want..."

Still, driving into her, Spike drew back and looked at her, waiting for her
to finish her sentence, but quickly realized what she wanted.  She leaned
her head back, exposing her creamy white neck to him, and pulled him to her.
"But luv..."

"It’s... okay," she whispered breathlessly, her body beginning to shake.
"T... t... trust me."

Without missing a beat, he let his game face come to the fore.  He thrust
into her again and simultaneously sunk his teeth into her neck, causing her
to scream his name as her body shook violently in his arms and her tight
passage convulsed around him.  His own body began shaking as well, as he
spilled his cold seed into her and drank her sweet blood.

When their bodies finally relaxed, he carried her over to the couch and lay
down with her, holding her tight.  He licked the wound he had inflicted on
her and then kissed her softly.  "You okay, luv?"

She nodded and touched his face tenderly.  "Yeah, I’m okay... better than
 okay."  He smiled at her and kissed her again.  "Spike?"  Her voice was
trembling, and it made him wonder what was coming next.

"Yes, luv?"

Her voice was barely above a whisper.  "I... l... l... love you."

*****

Buffy stood outside of Willow’s house -- well, her parent’s house -- trying
to figure out what she was going to say to the girl.  She couldn’t very well
march in there and tell Willow that she believed Tara was possessed.  She
had to find some other way of handling this.

While she was standing there thinking, the door opened.  "Buffy!" Willow
shrieked.  "You weren’t standing out here long, were you?  I was in the
bathroom and didn’t hear the doorbell.  Come on in!"  She held the door open
and waited for Buffy to walk in.  "What’s up?"

"I just haven’t see you for a couple of days," Buffy told her.  "Not since
that night Tara kicked that demon in the... well, between the legs."  She
followed Willow into the living room and plopped into a chair.

"Yeah, that was kinda cool, wasn’t it?  She’s really coming out of her
shell."

"That’s putting it lightly.  I’d say the shell is history.  You know what
brought all that on?"  Buffy hoped she wasn’t sounding too Scully.  She didn’t want to seem suspicious.

"I don’t know," Willow answered honestly.  "It started a couple months ago.
She started acting... well... different.  She’s a lot more confident now.  I don’t
think anything in particular happened.  I guess people just change.  It
seems to be a good thing though."

"Yeah.  Where is Tara anyway?"

"Her apartment."  Willow still didn’t understand why Tara had to stay in an
apartment anyway.  Willow’s parents were gone for the summer and she had
asked Tara to stay at their house with her, but Tara said it would make her
uncomfortable.

Willow’s answer was just a little too short for Buffy.  "Aren’t you guys
getting along well?"

"We’re fine," Willow snipped.  She shifted around in her chair, then got up
and headed out of the room.  "I’m thirsty.  Wanna soda?"

"Yeah, thanks."  She followed the girl into the kitchen and sat down at the
table.  "Will... talk.  What’s wrong?"

Willow pulled two cans of soda out of the fridge and took a deep breath as
she sat down across from Buffy.  She pushed one of the cans to Buffy, her
eyes downcast.  After a long pause, she finally spoke.  "I don’t know."  She
paused again, for even longer this time.  "Buffy, I... cant’... I don’t think I
can talk about this with you."

"Willow!  You can tell me anything!  You know that."  She reached out and
covered her friend’s hand with her own.

Willow sighed and looked at Buffy, her eyes sad.  "I wish I knew what was
wrong, but I don’t.  I mean... she acts like everything is okay, but she is so
distant.  She’s happy, and she’s gotten this confidence in herself that wasn
’t there before."  She paused a moment and dropped her face in her hands,
choking her next words out with very little control.  "I... I j-just wish I was
the one... the one who gave her that.  But I... I just don’t... b-believe I did."

Buffy watched as her friend cried openly now, face still buried in her
hands.  "Will... I’m so sorry.  Why don’t you think it was you?"  Buffy knew
this was hard for Willow, but she had to get to the truth.

She looked up at Buffy, tears streaming down her face, but her control was
back.  "She still kinda talks to me, and I guess we’re still friends, but
she’s distant... and she... we... that part of our relationship... it’s not..." She
stopped then, seeing the look that she feared seeing on Buffy’s face.

Buffy knew Willow was disappointed in her.  Buffy was disappointed in
herself, as well, but she had to press the issue.  "Did that just happen all
of a sudden?"  Willow shook her head sadly.  "Do you have any clue as to
why?"

"No.  I just... I really wish I knew what’s been going through her head.  I
would really love to know what she’s thinking right now."

*****

"Spike?"

"Yes, luv?" Spike answered, continuing to softly stroke Tara’s back, her
head resting on his chest.

"What are you thinking?"  Her voice was shaky, and she hoped Spike didn’t
know why.  After she told him she loved him, she and Spike had had sex... no,
they had made love... again.  He showed none of the anger he had taken out on
her during their first encounter of the night, instead he was sweet and
tender.  Their lovemaking had gone on for hours, Spike bringing her release
after release, until finally they both exploded together in a fit of intense
passion.  She smiled at the thought of him drinking from her, marking her as
his, while they both shuttered violently in each other’s arms.  But there
was one thing that bothered her... he hadn’t returned her sentiment.  And that
had been incredibly difficult for her to share with him.

Spike knew what she was waiting for, what she wanted to hear.  It wasn’t
that he didn’t love the girl, he did, but he wanted to make damn sure that
she knew what that entailed.  If he gave his love to her, he expected
certain things in return.  She had to know that and she had to agree to it.
She had already gotten past one step, letting him bite her, though he still
didn’t understand why it didn’t hurt him.  That was one step, but there were
many more.  He didn’t share... with anyone.  That meant no more Willow.
Another thing... she had to share her secret with him.  He wanted to know what
she was hiding and why.  It was time for some ground rules to be laid.

"I’m sorry Spike, I never should have said that I..."

Spike stopped Tara’s declaration by flipping her onto her back and kissing
her hard on the mouth.  "Don’t you dare take that back," he roared.  After a
pause, he continued.  "Unless you didn’t mean it."

"I did mean it!" she exclaimed.  "I love you!  I just..."

He kissed her again, longer this time.  He pulled away and locked eyes with
her, stroking her hair.  "I do love you, little witch.  I just want to be
sure that you know what that means."

"I’ll do anything for you," she rushed.  "Anything you want.  I’m yours.
Completely."

Spike tilted his head and ran a thumb across her lower lip, watching her
quiver at his touch.  Her body was his, this he knew.  And now her heart was
his, too.  But it wasn’t good enough - not yet.  He had to have it all.  He
had to possess her completely.  He didn’t want another Dru, another woman
who left him for someone else -- a woman who never put him first.  He had to
own Tara, so she would always be his.  Body, mind, heart, and soul.  Two
down, two to go.  It was time for the next step.  "Then tell them about us.
Tell them all.  Start with Red.  Tomorrow."

"Spike, I can’t.  Not yet.  I can’t hurt her like that.  I don’t want to do
to her what..."

"It has to be done."

"Give me a month.  Maybe I can find some way to..."

"Tomorrow," he growled.  "I’m tired of sneaking around."  Her eyes shut, and
he knew she was about to cry.  He wanted his way, but he didn’t want his
golden princess to cry.

She looked up at him again, tears threatening to come.  "I just can’t, not
yet.  Please don’t make me.  I don’t want to hurt her."

It always goes back to her fear of risk and pain, because she still didn’t
understand it.  She got the physical side of it... hell, she loved it... but she
still didn’t get it.  Ahhh, that’s it, he thought to himself.  He brought
one of her hands to his mouth and kissed her knuckles softly.  "Two weeks,"
he said quietly.

"But..."

"Two weeks," he said sternly.  "That’s what I give you.  Each day after
that, if you neglect to tell her, you will be punished in whatever manner I
decide."

"But..." Tara stopped when she saw the look in his eyes.  She swallowed hard
and waited for him to continue.

"After one month - and I mean one month from today, not one day longer - if
you haven’t told her... I will."

She took a deep breath, knowing she couldn’t defy him.  "You’re evil," she
said, looking up into his eyes.  She never would have dreamed it, but his
"evilness" both frightened her and intrigued her, and it was part of the
reason she loved him so much.

He smiled sinisterly and kissed her softly.  "Luv... you ain’t seen nothin’
yet."

*****