fandomhigh | Philosophy classroom, Friday afternoon

Philosophy classroom, Friday afternoon

After today's somewhat explosive Ethics class, Tara grabs lunch and returns to the classroom, anticipating fallout from various students... and questions from others.

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"What?" Tara was totally floored. "Buffy, I... this is supposed to be a break for you. To let someone take care of you for a change, instead of having to always take care of everyone else!"

"I'm a Slayer, Tara. I'm the Slayer. Taking care of people is what I do." Furious, she slammed the door behind her. "How am I supposed to protect people while I'm wearing a leash? Did you think of that?"

Tara's eyes were sad, as she replied softly, "you're not a Slayer in this classroom, Buffy. You're a student. You're my student. You're my responsibility. Beka won't stop you from patrolling - she cares just as much about protecting people as you do. And she can protect herself. I think you need someone you don't have to be responsible for. I want you to have an hour - even an hour - where you're not a big sister or a big hero. Where someone will stroke your hair, and take your worries away. Even an hour."

Buffy stared. Just stared. Her gaze narrowed down. "How dare you? You... you barely know me. I don't need anyone to take care of me. Not you. And not Beka Valentine."

"Buffy, I have known you for three years. I have lived in your house. I have run with you, and I have held safe the things you held dearest so you could go out and fight to protect them. I have held you while you cried for the person you were forced to become." She shakes her head. "I know you, Buffy. I know my Buffy. I can't give this to her, but I can give it to you."

"What about what I want? Doesn't that matter?"

Buffy paced, trailing mini storm clouds. They'd broken over her shoulders, the force of her anger blunted by Tara's sympathy.

"If I say no, what happens?"

"Remember that you're supposed to work out guidelines with your partner before you begin. That may help you remove some of the issues you have a problem with. Once you begin, you can use your safeword to say no to anything, at any time." Tara sighs. "If you say no to the whole assignment? I'll give you a research paper to do instead, or you can take a non-participation mark. But Buffy..." she wishes Buffy would look her in the eye. "I wouldn't have done this if I didn't believe it was for the best. For your ethical education, and for you, personally."

At the mention of a research paper, Buffy makes a face. "No papers. I don't think I can get anymore bad grades. Or detentions."

She sank onto the nearest chair and buried her face in her hands. "This is ridiculous. I'm a Slayer. I don't need to be taken care of. I don't need a safeword. I don't need an ethical education. I probably won't live long enough to use it."

Abruptly she stood again. "I need to think about this. I'll have to talk to Beka. When do I have to tell you?"

"Detention's not on the table, Buffy. And you, more than most, need an ethical education. With great power, comes great responsibility." She sighs. "The exercise is 16 hours, ending before next Friday's class. Which means I need to know by Thursday, at the latest."

"Please. Spare the lectures. Power. Responsibility. What about you? You're using your power to make me be a slave."

Buffy sighed, still angry but it just wasn't worth fighting. "Forget it. You'll know by Monday, Tara."

Tara's voice is strained with the pain she has caused her friend. "I'm not going to make you be anything, Buffy. Your choice. I guess I'll know on Monday whether the answer is yes, or no."

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Philosophy classroom, Friday afternoon

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