fandomhigh | Ethics Class, Monday, 2-4pm

"Angelus is gone," Tara informs the class solemnly. "Now, I know you've all heard the 'evil soul' excuse before, and that you're sick and tired of it. I am too. It would be nice if you could just trust that each person had only one face. However, with the number of unrelated identical twins running around the place, that was never going to happen, so let's all just let it go and deal with what is. Angelus is gone, and Angel is here.

"Most of you know that Angelus and I are Sunnydale expatriots. I assure you that I am in a better position than almost anyone you can think of to guarantee that he and Angel are very, very different people.

"With that in mind, today's discussion is about punishment for crimes done - and I say with that in mind, because if Angel does have the courage to walk through that door today, I will not tolerate anyone accusing him of crimes that were committed through his mouth and hands, but without his knowledge or consent. Please think of him as an unrelated identical twin, as different as Archie and Lee, or Cameron and John Crichton."

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Buffy leads Tara into the Emo Closet. She waits for Tara to shut the door and then she hugs her friend.

"Alright, you've been through hell and I've heard what happened. You've been trying to take care of me since I got here, and now it's my turn to take care of you as well."

Tara hugs Buffy back gratefully. "Take care of me? Buffy, that's awfully sweet of you, but... why do I need taking care of?"

Buffy shakes her head.

"Don't, Tara. I heard about the threats." She brushes back her friend's hair from her face. "And you knew the other me well enough to know that trying to argue isn't going to work." Buffy sighs. "You're the only family I have left, Tara. I'm not about to let anything happen to you."

"Thank you, Buffy," Tara replies. "I don't think..." she sighs. "I don't want to think that he would hurt me, but... I guess I can use all the protection I can get right now, right?"

Buffy nods. "That's how I felt with my Angel lost his soul, Tara. I didn't think he would do anything to hurt me or those I cared about, but he did." She sighs. "Before you ask, no, I know that this isn't my Angel and he probably doesn't even want to speak to me. However, I've lived through this once before and I'm not going to let anyone hurt him. But Tara...if I have to choose between you and this Angel...I'm going to have to choose you."

Buffy leans against the wall. "What are you going to do about Phoebe? You know he's not going to tell her that he's threatening you."

Tara presses her lips together, a long, agonising moment. "I have to tell her," she replies finally. "But... Shane and I are going out of town. I'll wait until I get back. Maybe Belthazor will have calmed down by then, I don't know. Maybe when he sees Angel he won't... feel so betrayed."

Buffy nods. "I'm glad you're going to tell her. She needs to know what kind of guy her boyfriend is being right now."

Buffy shakes her head. "I don't know if it's going to change how Belthazor is. He and Angelus were best friends. I'm glad that you're going out of town for a few days." She smiles faintly. "You'll also be happy to know that I've made friends with another Slayer...one whose story seems to mirror mine."

"You and Faith are finally seeing eye to eye?" Tara grins, giving Buffy another quick hug. "That's great! I mean, I know you've got a bit of a past with her, but I don't think you would have fought in the first place if there hadn't been so much jealousy. At least," she corrects herself, "from the way I heard the story. I mean, I wasn't actually there to see it."

Buffy looks confused. "Faith? No, I don't think she likes me very much and I can't figure out why." She shakes her head and smiles. "no, Sonia Belmont is the Slayer I'm talking about. She also did the whole fighting and training, watched the people she cared about die, loved someone others thought was evil and even died."

"Really? Wow." Tara blinks in surprise, but grins. "I'm glad you've found someone who understands. Are you two patrolling together?"

Buffy grins. "Yeah, we are. We figured we can help each other stay disciplined and focused." Buffy frowns. "Tara...do you think Beka knows about the threats?"

"I don't know," Tara replies softly. "But I expect as soon as she finds out she'll contact me, so... I'm guessing not."

Buffy sighs. "I hope...I hope she doesn't know instead of just..." Buffy looks down at the floor for a long moment. "I don't think she'd let him hurt you."

"I know she wouldn't," Tara says simply, absolute trust in her voice. "It's not in Beka to stand by when someone might get hurt. It's just not."

"She cares about all three of you and this has got to be tearing her apart."

"Yeah," Tara agrees, letting out a long sigh. "And she's going to be mad at me for doing the spell, too. I know how she feels about it, but... I had no other choice."

Buffy shakes her head. "Don't you let anyone make you feel bad for doing what you ahd to do, Tara."

"Thank you, Buffy," Tara smiles sadly. "I'm glad I have your support. Just... just give it to Angel, as well? Okay?"

"Tara...you don't even have to ask that. I will always love him...always need him, and no way in hell is anyone going to hurt him."

Tara's eyes show her gratitude, but she just nods. "Ready to get back to class?"

Buffy smiles sadly. "No, but I guess we can't stay in here and hide all day. Besides, I have to come out some time. Xander and I are suposed to go have coffee after class."

Ethics Class, Monday, 2-4pm

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