Stand By Me (Willow/Tara)

[WintersDreamer]

Painful.



Fragile.



Graceful.



Beautiful.



Please update soon.

[intricate mirage]

Beautiful piece of work

Cassie





Ask me if I loved you yesterday. I'll say 'Yes'

Ask me if I love you today. I'll say 'Yes'

Ask me if I'll love you tomorrow. I'll say 'Always'

[The Rose24]

It is good Tara is taking Willow out of town. They really should get away from Sunnydale.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

[nika]

You certainly have a way with words, a beautiful, deep way. I'm feel truly caught up in the emotion of each phrase, Bravo doesn't seem to cut it here.

[Arwen276]

I second or third that WOW!



This is very beautiful ! A great way to rewrite season 6th's mess...

More please!





~Arwen

Hear That Baby? You're My Always... Willow

[justkazy]

Very emotional, I love it



keep it coming



O

[WiccansIllusion]

This is an old Evanescence song, very powerful lyrics. I think it was meant as Christian rock but I’m using it as the you being Tara.



"October"

I can't run anymore,

I fall before you,

Here I am,

I have nothing left,

Though I've tried to forget,You're all that I am,

Take me home,

I'm through fighting it,

Broken,

Lifeless,

I give up,

You're my only strength,

Without you,

I can't go on,

Anymore,

Ever again.



My only hope,

(All the times I've tried)

My only peace,

(To walk away from you)

My only joy,

My only strength,

(I fall into your abounding grace)

My only power,

My only life,

(And love is where I am)

My only love.



I can't run anymore,

I give myself to you,

I'm sorry,

I'm sorry,

In all my bitterness,

I ignored,

All that's real and true,

All I need is you,

When night falls on me,

I'll not close my eyes,

I'm too alive,

And you're too strong,

I can't lie anymore,

I fall down before you,

I'm sorry,

I'm sorry.



My only hope,

(All the times I've tried)

My only peace,

(To walk away from you)

My only joy,

My only strength,

(I fall into your abounding grace)

My only power,

My only life,

(And love is where I am)

My only love.

Constantly ignoring,

The pain consuming me,

But this time it's cut too deep,

I'll never stray again.



The last part of the drive was up a winding road into the trees. Northern California was so different, as different as night and day. Willow could only watch as the shades and color’s changed before her eyes. Tara on the other hand knew how important paying attention to the road was. The people around Short Hills, California knew these roads and when someone knows a road they tend to speed and forget about other drivers. It wasn’t long before they reached a small turn off that almost resembled a driveway.



A rusted mailbox hung off it’s hinges without a letter insight. The trees darkened the path enough for Tara to turn on the Jeep’s bright lights so she wouldn’t hit a deer or any other small creature for that matter. The cabin was in surprisingly good condition. It was a one room, with a few windows and a doorway. A smoke stack was about the only modern appliance in the area if one could call it that. Tara cut off the engine and took a deep breath. The place was filtered with magick, white magick. She even wondered if Willow could feel it. It was the place where every Shelton women had learned magick. It’d been passed down even from her great-great grandmother. Despite being lost in memories, she opened the door and exited silently, getting their things.





Willow was still in awe and had just kind of sat there before she realized the car had stopped. After a moment or so she finally stepped out, and helped Tara with their belongings. The energies felt so different then the magick that was the Hellmouth. She let Tara open the door and followed her inside the cabin after a moment or so of just breathing. The cabin was small it held an old fashioned wood burning stove, a fireplace, and a small twin bed. After their belongings were put away, Willow began to notice smaller details.



A pentacle had been carved into the door, and on each wall. A larger one on the floor with white paint, which had been eroded with age and charms of protection engraved into the windows. The redhead felt dirty in this place, like she was bringing darkness into something so pure. After a moment of silence she actually tried to move towards the door to go back to the car but was stopped by Tara.



The blonde had expected the mental break down as Willow collapsed into her arms. After a moment she helped ease them to the ground as she just held Willow while she cried. This place was so sacred to Tara and the redhead just didn’t understand how she was able to even bring one so scared, so far gone to this place.



“I –I can’t stay here. I can’t..,” It was wheezed out it the crook of Tara’s neck. All the blonde did was run her hand down Willow’s back, soothing her.



“ Yes, you can. It’s why we went away. You need to know that there’s good magick as well.” Blue eyes held the green for a moment before Willow nodded, and just sat on the floor while Tara got up to start the stove so at least they wouldn’t freeze to death that night.



As Willow sat on the floor, she could feel the pentacle brimming over with power. It was all Tara’s energies. It was ancient, older then them, older then the cabin itself which had been built as a safe haven for Tara’s family to practice their traditions away from the scrutiny of the men they had married.



The redhead closed her eyes and images flashed before her. Women in much older clothing, all blonde hair and blue eyed and each in a different way resembled Tara. She could feel their power and only briefly thought of what it had felt like when Rack had tasted her.



That made her jolt like a frightened animal, away from the pentacle and closer to the foot of the bed. That had been the worst feeling, almost more so then when Tara had left her, and she just gazed, haunted by the temptations that ran through her body.



Tara watched Willow silently. She was used to the cabin and all of it’s power but Willow wasn’t. She doubted anyone outside of her family had ever been here or even knew it existed. The barriers were so strong that even a hiker would pass up staying in the place overnight.



Time knew no boundries in this place. Tara had watched Willow, curled up on the floor for hours now as the redhead held herself, unseeing. She knew though when it was time to bring her back, time to start moving on instead of dwelling in the past. After not even a moment’s hesitation, more like a breath she eased down behind Willow and pressed herself up against her lover. It was the contact that brought Willow back to reality, back to herself and back to Tara.



        Hope is your survival

        A captive path I lead

        No matter where you go

        I will find you, if it takes

        a long, long time

       

        No matter where you go

        I will find you

        If it takes a thousand years



        No Matter where you go I will find you

        In the place with no frontiers

        No matter where you go I will find you

        If it takes a thousand years...



        ( Clannad, I Will find You, Last of the Mohicans )

       

I am walking out in the rain I am listening to the low moan of the dial tone again and I am getting no where with you and I won't let it go and I won't get through, with both hands...ani d

[WintersDreamer]

(sigh)..... its in those quiet places you become close to the

infinite.



very lyrical.



Poor Willow, does Tara understand that Willow feels like she's make Tara's "sacred place" unclean, and all the guilt that goes with that?



Please update soon.

[willow fan7]

I really don't know what to say, I'm quite speechless in fact.

It's terribly hard to see Willow like that. It feels like she thinks herself as something tainted and foul.

Please update soon.

[sam darls]

That was so moving and really powerful and just so beautiful..And I love Evanescence, and that song is one of my favourites. love sammi xx

[LostWithoutTara]

I love the strength and power of the emotions here, it almost hurts to see Willow feel so bad, and I hope that with Tara's strength and the power of the cabin Willow will be able to learn how to control her magic. Looking forward to the next update.

Every time you walk away, I pretend that I'm okay

[sabina]

Hi there



This was such a powerful update. Poor Willow thinking that she is tainted and unworthy of being in that place with Tara



Now i'm curious to see what Tara will do next...



Update soon?

---

"I know I was born and I know that I'll die.

The in between is mine.

I am mine!" - Pearl Jam

[allykat]

Just

This was so raw... I love it!

[The Rose24]

This is going to be a rough one on Willow, but I know Tara pull her through it.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

[Arwen276]

I can see how good this place is going to be for Willow once she gets over her fears.



This is a great story of recovery and retrieving one's path!



~Arwen

Hear That Baby? You're My Always... Willow

[Grimlock72]

Any story in which Willow and Tara get out and away from Sunnydale is good by definition . Even without the magic coming from the hellmouth it's not a nice place to life anyway. To bad it seems they'll go back there eventually.



That's pretty much my biggest worry right now. I've no doubt that Willow will eventually get back to normal if they stay inside that nicely shielded cabin. It's easy to stay 'clean' (assuming you consider dark magic to be a drug that is) if you're not tempted. Once back in Sunnydale she'll be tempted by available sources, most of which dark no doubt there. And of course there's much need for magic-use in real-life situations down in Sunnydale.



Practicing magic for fun and enlightment is easy to control in carefully controlled environments like that cabin. It might provide a good starting position though... lord knows Willow needs one. At least to ground her, or make her realise Sunnydale is NOT a good place to life at all . Or in general make her think more clearly.



It's good to see Tara take care of Willow, someone needs to help her through whatever it is she's going through. It's more like Willow is all magiced out really, there's only so much a single person can do, even a Willow :-) Wonder if Buffy will manage without Willow and Tara around, it's not like Xander is much compensation .



Hopefully Tara brought enough soap to wash whatever is making Willow sick out of her. Bath time together has other benefits too of course, heh.



Grimmy

--
"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

[WiccansIllusion]

Replies-



I'm not going to do an individual reply since a lot of the posts seem to say the same thing, which is great. Thank you for all the feedback.



I think the difference in this story is not only adding song, which thanks to Sarah's songs for a mix tape, gave me the initial idea. In a way it is flowing like the show should have or a movie would, with background music in my head.



As for Grimlock, stop being psychic on my supposed updates, I may have to delay the shower scene now But wait...



cabin in the woods don't have showers or running water now do they



Anyways the next part has a bit of writers block but I'm struggling through it and it should be soon.

I am walking out in the rain I am listening to the low moan of the dial tone again and I am getting no where with you and I won't let it go and I won't get through, with both hands...ani d

[WintersDreamer]

True, cabins in the woods don't have showers, what they do have is water heated on top of the wood stove ( add just a little bit of lavender or sage or rosemary), and then give your beloved a " sponge bath".







Please update soon,

[Tempest Duer]

This was so raw and emotional... I'm very impressed by the way you captured everything here. Oh, and there's no reason for you to delay the shower scene just because Grimmy predicted it. Really, go ahead and write it.

I believe in the madness called "now."

[WiccansIllusion]

Green Eyes

Coldplay

Honey you are a rock

Upon which I stand

And I come here to talk

I hope you understand



The green eyes

Yeah the spotlight

Shines upon you

And how could

Anybody

Deny you

I came here with a load

And it feels so much lighter

Now I met you

Honey you should know

That I could never go on

Without you



Green eyes



Honey you are the sea

Upon which I float

And I came here to talk

I think you should know



That green eyes

You're the one that I wanted to find

And anyone who tried to deny you,

Must be out of their mind



Because I came here with a load

And it feels so much lighter since I met you

And honey you should know,

That I could never go on

Without you



Green eyes, green eyes, ohohoh...



Honey you are a rock

Upon which I stand.





Willow had fallen asleep in the blonde’s arms some time ago. Neither witch remembered waking up and moving to the bed that was against the wall. Tara had eased herself there, letting Willow be wrapped in her warmth. Even the cabin’s walls felt warm as it recognized Tara’s energies. They stayed this way for hours now, without even talking. Tara had sensed when Willow woke up since her breathing had changed but didn’t make any move to say a word. It was that kind of moment when no sound was needed.





Willow was aware. She was aware of the calm centering that Tara provided for her in the midst of chaos that otherwise controlled her as well as the calming force. She could not recall how the two ended up in the bed, whether she’d woken up or if Tara had carried her there. It was comfortable, being in the blonde’s arms again and she had soon fallen back asleep, perhaps for the first time without a nightmare.





Tara had awoken not long after Willow had fallen back asleep. With some skill she eased herself from the bed without waking up the redhead and started to prepare breakfast.



The blonde had figured that pancakes would be in order, as always. She had often wondered what would happen if Willow woke up and she was making steak and eggs instead. Shaking her head clear of the thought before she actually started laughing, Tara put another log into the stove to heat it up some more.



It wasn’t long before the smell of funny shaped pancakes and eggs filled the room. She had even gone so far as to fresh squeeze some orange juice for them both, since an old juicer had been amongst the supplies in the kitchen. Her mother had always insisted that a witch should know how to stock a kitchen.



Willow woke up to the smell of pancakes and eggs. Tara had even made her spiced tea that she used to make with cloves, cinnamon and orange juice. After stretching momentarily she finally got out of bed, glad to have socks on still once her feet hit the cool cabin floor.



After a moment of watching Tara, she managed to sneak around her from behind and wrap her arms in a light embrace that nearly ended up in a flipped pancake right in her face.

Tara managed to get a hold on the pancake she was tossing as Willow hugged her. It was a good feeling, and she could tell the redhead was actually smiling. It was much better than before the previous night.





“ Did you sleep okay?” The question was asked; breaking the dead silence the two had been in for a few days.





“Yeah, I did actually. “ Willow’s voice still sounded a bit apprehensive, and anxious. She was glad Tara hadn’t pulled away from her when she had hugged her but now she really didn’t want to break the contact.





“ Good. I really could use a bath. Not, I mean, cause of anything but…” Tara just trailed off, managing a small smile. She had read into how Willow felt about being here in their sleep. It’d kind of been a part of the intricate bond that the two Wicca’s’ shared.





“Showers are good, especially after pancakes go in bellies” She watched as the last of the funny shaped pancakes were put onto two plates, and Tara drizzled them in maple syrup.





“Sweetie, we’re in the middle of the woods. We, kind of just have an out -house out back and a creek to get water from. But I want to show you something. Actually more like someplace.” It was said with a mischievous smile that Willow couldn’t see.





It didn’t take long for the two to finish breakfast. Willow was apprehensive about wherever Tara was taking her, and after helping dry the dishes and clean up the two headed out.

It was a crisp day, nothing at all like the warm weather the redhead was used to.



Tara held the redhead’s hand, helping to keep her stable and even just a tad warm since Tara’s touch always warmed and soothed her soul. The path that Tara was taking them down was well worn with age of being traveled dozens of times. It led through the wooded glade and into a small hillside with an cavern opening. As Willow looked around she actually realized that it was the start of a rather tall mountain, yet another thing the redhead had never seen before.





The blonde knew exactly where she was going, and gave her lover a reassuring smile as she started to head into the crease in the rock that didn’t seem large enough for someone to pass through. Once Tara had disappeared into the mountainside, Willow wondered what she’d gotten herself into as she finally followed, figuring out that if one turned side ways it was barely large enough to fit through, even for her small frame.

I am walking out in the rain I am listening to the low moan of the dial tone again and I am getting no where with you and I won't let it go and I won't get through, with both hands...ani d

[TesniStryngefyre]

i feel priviledged to be the first to post feedback for his part.... however i must confess, i was told when it was posted lol. Great update WI... i told ya last nite... i'm loving this fic. the way willow's addiction was handled in the show... with a complete absence of tara... really left me wanting another version (in addition to being totally PO'd).



oh and if the the word "mischievous" is spelled wrong... blame me not WI. LOL.



Can't wait for the rest....



Tes

---

you're a land of secrets, its only citizen; and though i paid my dues, i was never allowed in

and so i am a stranger, especially today; as i get sad and lonely, and you get your way

-- Emily Saliers

[allykat]

Another amazing update!

I'm so loving this! More soon, please?



PS: I love "green eyes".Beautiful song...

[sam darls]

That was so beautiful..thank you. Love sammi xx

[sabina]

Hi there



That was really beautiful and touching



I always wanted to read a story that dealt with Tara helping Willow overcome her addiction to the dark magics.

(Of course that was what should have been done on season seven but let's not even go there... )



Anyway thank you for writing this



More soon?

---

"I know I was born and I know that I'll die.

The in between is mine.

I am mine!" - Pearl Jam

[LostWithoutTara]

Wonderful update.



I'm intrigued by where Tara is taking Willow.

Every time you walk away, I pretend that I'm okay

[Imperfectly Me]

Brooke-

This is good stuff. Hope you keep bringin it to us.



Aimee

Who were you then? And who are you now? That you think you can figure it all out, the mathematics of regret. It takes two beers to remember now, and five more to forget. That I love you so..what. Yeah I love you so..what.

[WiccansIllusion]

It didn’t take long before Willow found Tara again. The crack in the mountainside actually seemed to become larger as they went further into the caverns. Finally they reached a large room, and Tara caught Willow before she stumbled in the darkness. After steadying the redhead, she picked up two stones and cracked them together, the oxygen mingling with sparks lit the torches along the walls and all Willow could do was gaze around the room.



The cavern was filled with intricate paintings, most of them seemed hand painted in traditional Native American style. But others, others seemed to be spells, some in Latin or Native American. Some of the languages she couldn’t even comprehend.



As she gazed about, she noticed some steam rising towards the back of the cave. It seemed to be a large pool, a natural hot spring. It was large enough to fit maybe four people in it if they were cozy enough with one another.



“Your.” Tara stopped and tried again. Why was she this nervous? The entire time she hadn’t stuttered. In years actually she hadn’t stuttered. “You’re the f-first person outside of my family to be here.” It was said with a whisper. She also knew the meaning behind it as well as Willow did. It was the final acceptance that the redhead was her family now and the cavern needed to be shared.





“ You didn’t, I mean, have to.” It was said simply as Willow gazed at Tara. She almost didn’t notice as the blonde started to undress.



“Tara what-“ She was stopped silently by a finger on her lips. She didn’t feel worthy, not to be here like this. She shook her head and backed away, nearly tripping over a stone in her path but Tara caught her.





“I wanted to show you, needed to show you. You’re my family now, and my family has always taught each other magick. I want to teach you again.” It was said as Tara nearly pleaded with the redhead for her to calm down.





It wasn’t long before the redhead complied, and let go of Tara’s hands so she could finish stripping. Willow’s breathing had grown heavy with the steam coming from the spring and the fact that Tara was very nearly naked. Before she knew it, the blonde wiccan had stripped completely and lithe digits moved to start removing Willow’s clothing before she could even protest.



Despite Tara’s better judgment, her lips had found Willow’s in a heated kiss. She had been so reserved before, and thought that she could get through this without wanting Willow but it was impossible.



The need for contact ran deep within her own soul, as well as within Willow’s as the startled redhead returned the kiss after a moment. Tara’s hands had worked her shirt half way up and then had moved down, fumbling with her pants.



The kiss was the only thing that was keeping her from being fully naked, and she definitely didn’t want to stop. Her breathing grew heated with desire that coursed through her entire being, a desire so strong it pushed away all thoughts of being unclean, knowing she only needed Tara to keep her sanctified enough to be in a place as holy as this was to her soul mate.







...yes I know, evil aren't I?

I am walking out in the rain I am listening to the low moan of the dial tone again and I am getting no where with you and I won't let it go and I won't get through, with both hands...ani d

[gottalovewillow]

Yes... you are very very evil . You definatley got me on that one. Way to keep me wanting more! Looking forward to your next post.



Julie

[The Rose24]

I am glad Willow and Tara are more comfortable with each other. Willow will be all better in no time.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

[Tempest Duer]

You are not evil at all! This was beautiful... absolutely beautiful...

I believe in the madness called "now."