“That’s good!” Tara encouraged as the young woman made herself comfortable before raising her fists and fixing the blonde in her sights, a sure sign she was ready for the next stage of Tara’s tuition.

From the porch, Willow watched the lesson unfold. They had awoken as the physical training was drawing to a conclusion and Tara had noticed Amanda’s hesitation with some of the moves Xander was trying to teach them. After changing into a simple black sports bra and sweat pants, she had kissed Willow lovingly before running downstairs to help. Willow had picked blue sweats and a tight vest top and joined the women in the yard, preferring to sit back and watch as Tara showed Amanda each move carefully before gently pointing out where she was going wrong and helping her adjust her style.

“That’s not bad.” Tara said thoughtfully as she took two quick steps towards Amanda, “But what if your enemy were to do this?”

She asked, gripping Amanda’s throat with her right hand and sweeping her right leg around Amanda’s and dropping her effortlessly onto the large mat.

Amanda looked up at her with frightened eyes. “I… I…” she muttered.

Extending a hand, Tara smiled warmly as she helped the woman to her feet.

“You have to remember that the Bringers are fast and deadly.” Tara said softly. “Are you ok, I didn’t hurt you?” Amanda shook her head and Tara frowned questioningly.

“I mean no, you didn’t hurt me.” Amanda told her.

“Baby?” Tara asked, turning to the porch and fixing loving eyes on the redhead. “Can you help me for a moment?”

Willow got to her feet and bounced down the steps, coming to a halt at Tara’s side. Something about the display she had seen play out before her had set a small fire in the pit of her stomach and she had wondered idly if this was how Gabrielle had felt while watching Xena train. Shaking off the image, she smiled and focused her attention on her own muscular blonde. ‘Does that make me Xena?’ her mind questioned before she chastised herself and met Tara’s eyes.

“Are you done?” Tara asked with a giggle, causing Amanda to look at them both quizzically.

“All done!” Willow agreed, her cheeks flushing slightly.