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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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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