Chase the morning (updated: 7/7/12)

[Finey_McFine]

HI! Great update!! I'm liking that they feel their connection so soon and would imagine that in the world they live in, you've gotta act fast because any minute could be your last.

I always enjoy seeing how the "I'm Yours" gets weaved into fics. Nicely done.

I am worried though and left wondering why they felt the need to run out of the house, especially with the vamps after Willow, etc. Teenagers...

I'm sincerely hoping that Rack's magic does not have the desired effect on Tara or if it does, that Willow will sense it and do some sort of reversal. I see lot's more angsty-angst on the horizon.

I'm digging the quick updates as well!!

[nightmask]

Promethea128: You shall have to read on and find out! [:
Season sux (six) with Willow's addiction and Tara leaving pissed me off, Willow was so mean to Tara and everyone around her ;.;

Laragh: Thank you!!! and Yes I agree the opening sentence by itself does sound rather suggestive [; To answer your question; it never occurred to Willow that Tara had never experienced a first kiss because it seemed so normal, I probably wrote it so that Willow forgot for a moment who they were and focused on who they are.

Finey_McFine: Thank you [: Willow and Tara ran out of the house kind of on an impulse, you know those wacky teenagers! Oh so much angst it's quite hard to avoid lol. I shall try to keep my updates quick, but homework this year keeps piling up so if I don't update next time for like a month I'll probably be buried under a pile of trig notes and u.s. history geography maps ._.


Next update coming right up!! ^.^

[nightmask]

Author's note: I like sea horses ._.

Part nine:

Willow and Tara ended up on the floor of the playground gazing up at the stars. Wood chips were tangled like bugs in the webs of their hair. They quietly intertwined their hands and fingers while pointing out the constellations they knew.

“.... and that one is Beetlegeuse” Willow said pointing at a bright star directly ahead of them.

“Hey since we already know all the constellations why don’t we make up our own?” Tara suggested.

This was a game her father and her used to play when she was younger the year he had bought her a telescope for her birthday.


“Oh that’d be so cool! You try first!” Willow replied gleefully, Tara searched the numerous stars and tried to connect them with her mind.

“Ok look over at those three stars...” she said drawing an invisible line with her index finger, Willow moved closer to where Tara lay to see exactly where she was pointing, “I seem them” Willow said.

“Now see those stars all along there? It kind of looks like a big pineapple” Tara explained, Willow squinted her eyes and connected the stars in her head until she could see it too.


“It’s big” Willow said, she rested her head on Tara’s shoulder snuggling closer, Tara wrapped her arm around Willow’s and laughed while they looked for more constellations to make up.

They lay there into total awe of the vast twinkling lights, which had long since died and the planets that lacked life forms, it was known for making people feel lonely and unimportant, but to the two lovers it felt as if they were in space.


“Willow?” Tara asked after a long period of silence.

“Mmmhm?” Willow replied, her eyes were closed and she had been taking a short nap on Tara’s shoulder before she was awakened.

“... N-Nothing never mind” Tara mumbled, Willow glanced up worried, was there something Tara wanted to ask her? She got up off of Tara’s shoulder and sat up so she could look down on to her lover’s face.


“Tara is everything okay?” Willow asked, Tara nodded her eyes still closed.


Willow ran her hands threw Tara’s hair smoothing out the knots and tangles. She removed a few wood chips that had gotten stuck and continued. Tara began to shiver, but Willow felt no breeze and it was still warm outside, she pressed the back of her hand to Tara’s forehead and could feel it burning.


“Tara you feel pretty warm... do you think your getting sick?” Willow asked getting worried.

“I’m not sure” she rasped, “I feel kind of... funny” , Tara rolled onto her side and tucked her knees into her chest and hugged them to try and warm up.

“Tara are you cold? Do you want to go home?” Willow asked gently rubbing Tara’s arm.


Tara didn’t reply but her face began to constrain it’self tightly creating lines, she looked like she was in pain.

“Baby come on tell me what’s wrong? What hurts?” Willow asked, Tara was scaring her, she wouldn’t answer and she kept her body locked in fetal position.


Tara’s eyelids were scrunched up began to leak tears, her fists gripped at her sides, digging her nails deep into her flesh. Willow got up looking desperately for someone who could help her, but the playground remained empty.


“Leave” Tara groaned through her gritted teeth.

Willow returned to her side, “Come on baby you gotta get up so we can find some help” Willow replied, she unhinged Tara’s fists from her sides and tried to pull her up, but to no avail she remained on the floor in agony.


“P-Please j-just l-leave m-m-me “ Tara moaned, she could feel scorching acid in her blood and bones, her skin was moving and shifting on it's own.

“No! I’m not leaving you, come on you can do it! You need to get up Tara! I can’t carry you! I’m not strong enough” Willow yelled she wiped frantically at Tara’s tears and pulled at her hands, straining her muscles.

Tara began to realize what she believed she was feeling, it was the curse, her demon could be waking up inside of her at this very instant. If this was the case and she truly was going to turn into a demon Willow could get killed.


“Get away from me!” Tara shrieked freeing her self from Willow’s grip.

Willow didn’t know what to do, Tara never had acted like this before, she seemed to be deranged like a lunatic. Willow forced her arms back around Tara’s body and held her close while the blonde thrashed in her grip.


“Patefacio prodigium quod addo mihi domus!” Willow said , Tara and herself were enveloped by a bright light which swallowed them into the ground and vanished.

Rack was furious, his plan had not gone as he had hoped, the red headed witch had gotten in his way. In his attempt to remain calm he began to conjure a plan to deal with the two witches. He lit another cigarette and cursed under his breath, he would need to speak with Amy again.
_________________________________________________________

Willow began to materialize in Tara’s room until she became completely solid as did Tara. She was fully drained of her magic for the day and knew she would feel the after affects in only a few short minutes, Tara had been knocked out from the journey and had sagged limply at Willow’s side her breathing was shaky and her head still very warm.

Willow quickly moved Tara onto her bed, took off her shoes and tucked her under the covers. She then rushed into the bathroom dizziness settling inside of her brain, she could sense the beginnings of a pulsing migrane.

She could feel a sickly taste travel to her throat it feld acidic and raw, her tongue began to salivate profusely and she knew she was going to puke.
Willow sank to her knees on the cold tile floor and lifted the lid to the Toilet bowl, the smell of the sewer water made dry heave.

Willow waited a few minutes taking deep breaths until the feeling was beginning to go away, and thats when everything came up and out. She watched the repulsive chunky brown bits of half digested food fall into the toilet making plunking noises as it hit water. When she finally stopped she took deep shaky breaths and spit a few times before flushing it all. Willow sunk to the floor exhausted, the cool ground felt grimy and unclean beneath her clammy palms.

She gripped the edge of the counter and pulled herself up to the mirror, her forehead was sweaty making wisps of her hair stick to it. She turned on the sink and washed her mouth out and splashed some on her face. She went threw the medecine cabinet for headache medication before the tingling could spread more.

Willow stumbled back into the bedroom to find Tara sleeping fitfully, her brow was creased and her eyebrows upturned. Why had Tara not wanted her help? Did she do something wrong? She reached out to touch Tara’s shoulder, but drew her hand away hurt by the words echoing in her head. She tucked both hands under her elbows and pressed down to resist the temptation to touch Tara for selfish comfort.

Tara had broken out in a feverish sweat , making her struggle in her sleep against the blankets which held the heat too close to her body. Willow replaced the blanket with a lighter one and wiped Tara’s brow with a wet towel. She was lost, she knew no spells to heal Tara’s condition or even knew what was causing this in the first place.

Willow sunk dow to the carpet and leaned her back against the bed, she found herself trembling and feeling useless. She bit her lip to hold back her cries while hot salty tears made their way down her cheeks and dropped from her chin onto her knee. Her nails dug inwardly into her palms leaving angry red half moon notches in their wake.

[Finey_McFine]

DIBS!

I loved the beginning! That was always one of my very favorite W/T scenes and it totally made me forget the impending doom. You big meany!! lol

On to the angst...I seriously hope Tara doesn't continue to push Willow away and they figure out what's going on. Big Yay for Willow's quick thinking!!!

I'm guessing it won't be long before Giles finds Willow there and things go from bad to worse. I don't remember them putting the tarot cards back and this will most likely tip him off that something is a miss. Maybe Willow will hear him coming and have enough time to hide. I'm seriously worried for them both at this point!!!


Great Update!!

[Laragh]

Aww, stargazing scene. Love it!

Oh god, poor Tara!! Please don't push Willow away!!!

And I loved that Willow teleported them even though she knew it would drain her magic. But sucky after effects :(

Sad chapter :( :( Angst makes my stomach acid-y. Can you at least have Tara fill Willow in on everything so they can face Rack and Tara's 'demon' (the idea of it anyway) together? Pretty please? I could handle the angst as long as they tackle it together.

But enough of my shameless begging, very well written Your writing is very vivid, I love it.

[KnightlyLove]

Oy! Sorry it took me so long to catch up on this fic So much to say, I even took notes...
Okay first: I love the creepy ambiance of this story, it's very Lovecraft-y. Disturbing and pretty gross, but at least we have our girls in there with us. These last few updates have shown a very abrupt shift in mood, but I think that's perfect - Willow and Tara are together now, and so everything will be better

Second, here's my question: Does Tara have a demon/curse, or doesn't she? I trust Giles. Giles says there's a curse - Pills? What??? This lingering question is very compelling. Please tell meee!!!

3. Bridge to Tarabithia (sp?) is suchhh a great book!!!! and Scarborough Fair is so great too... I love the echoes of real life that you've put in this story.

4. Tarot cards = the best. Oh man, I love the reading Willow did. So appropriate! Tarot sometimes does tell the absolute truth.

5. You wrote their first kiss soooo well. The only thing that confused me about it was how Willow randomly decided to give Tara a hickey, especially with the Drusilla business... it felt like weird boundaries, vampire and human, evil and... good...

6. Okay, LOVE those few lines you stole from BtVS. So cute.

[Promthea128]

Ahhhh! The angst!! lol I don't really care if a story is cotton candy, or full of stomach acidy-ness, as long as its well written. This is one of those.

[nightmask]

Finey_McFine: Hehe I'm so evil [: I apologize I couldn't help myself ^.^
I love how your reading into the foreshadowing, unfortunately I cannot confirm your theories... b/c well I'll be honest I haven't written that far yet on my appleworks file ._. but we shall see soon enough! [: Thank you! I hope you enjoy the latest update


Laragh: I think if Tara didn't die in the sixth season and continued to live on the recent comics, Willow and Tara would totally be on the roof of the scotland castle base using the i-pad app called skywalk to look at the constellations and stars right now... which is kind of what I wanna do right now 'cept I gotta go to school in about 8 hours D:

Anyways hooray for Willow saving the day! I essentially imagined the scene like teen titans episode birthmark when raven draws her cape over robin who collapsed and dark energy covers them and they morph though the ground into the sky... And now I'm babbling about stuff probably no one has heard of ... I blame Willow.

I promise after this next update there will be less angst!
Thank you for the comment and ideas and once again I apologize for my babbling!

KnightlyLove: for the first question I can't answer coz' then I'll spoil stuff sowwie

For the pills, Tara takes them b/c they are supposed to keep her Demon under some level of control...

OMG I read Bridge to Terebethia in 5th grade and when Leslie died my whole class was almost crying, I just happened to watch the movie on youtube the day I wrote that part, the book makes me wanna build a fort outta blankies or a tree house

Scarborough Fair is awesome just saying, especially when you play the cover by sarah brightman w/ the original by Simon and garfunkel at the same time, but start the sarah brightman one like 6 seconds late so it has this amazing echo to it you gotta try it it's sooo cool!!

The tarot card part took me almost an entire night to get done because of all the research I had to do to get everything right.

I'll admit that the Willow giving Tara a hickey bit was tad fast, but they were kind of caught in the moment as was I when I wrote it, plus it's the only sort of way Willow knows how to claim a lover b/c she's been living with the fact that Drusilla does that to her on almost a daily basis... IDK that's just my excuse.


Thanks for the awesome comments and questions !!



Promthea128: Awww thank you -huggles- ^.^

hmmm cotton candy... damn now I'm hungry -runs off to find food-

Oh the angst... -sigh- I think my next fan fic I should attempt to write an adorable ball of fluff story, because I can't seem to get away from my dark writing style anyways I hope you like the next update!

[nightmask]

Author's note: i'm currently reading lord of the rings 2 and I think Tolkien in one particular chapter just discovered the word "precipice" and is determined to use it as many freaking times as he pleases in one page and it's getting rather annoying... Sorry for the slow update!

Part Ten:

After finishing off his final job for the day, Rupert decided to grab a quick cup of tea before returning home to his beloved daughter. While walking back he let the tension in his limbs finally relax, he could feel the swirling contents within the steaming styrofoam cup of warm liquid soothe his throat and fill his stomach. Once he finished his drink he crushed the flimsy cup with ease and tossed it into a paper basket a few feet ahead of him.

A red sports car with blaring music came screeching around the cornner it’s engine blaring obnoxiously loud like that of a lawn mower. Rupert waited for the car to pass and felt the cool breeze it created wash over his face and whip the flimsy ends of his shirt.

“You-have-One-new-message”
The computer generated voice announced from his watch, Rupert groaned and pressed the receive button, He really was not in the mood for more work after the long night he had.

“Ripper, come to my office at once” a new voice commanded, It was The Master’s, he knew it too well.

Rupert mashed the pad of his thumb down on the “end” button and kicked a crumpled tin can across the sidewalk listening to it skid and roll about dripping the last of what ever it’s contents had been. He turned around and began to walk in the direction of “The Bronze”.

His walk became harsher with every step, his face became cold and hard as he sped up his pace, his expression was that of someone you did not want to piss off, he looked like he was ready to stab someone if they did. He trudged onward, the bottom of his rough boots hit the gravel pavement and each step matched that of his pulsing annoyance in the very temple of his head.
_________________________________________________________

Back in Tara’s room the window had been left fully ajar to allow the cool breeze of the wind help Tara to lower her body tempature down, while she attempted to fight her growing fever in her sleep. The dull roar of the city could be heard, the sounds of honking cars and grumbling motorcycles became the soundtrack that put Willow to sleep inside of Tara’s closet.
She had thought ahead and decided to sleep in the closet to avoid getting caught when Tara’s dad came home.

She had wrapped her self in a thin blanket and slept on top of a towel she had spread underneath herself to lessen the contact of the itchy carpet beneath her. Her knees were drawn into her chest and her hand was pressed into her pillow by the heaviness of her head which was cradled by her palm. Even as a little girl she had enjoyed sleeping in small spaces such as closets or underneath beds. The warmth her exhales gave off filled the fabric that she had wrapped herself in, she found that everything always seemed to warm up faster whenever she was in a smaller space. Willow felt cozy and let the pressing questions of how to help Tara slowly leave her mind and she felt sleep find her and patiently claim her as it’s own as she drifted off.

A loud gust of window rattled against the frames of the open window and made loose papers that lay about fall like delayed feathers to the floor. Tara shot upwards breathing hard, beads of sweat dripped down her forehead and neck, her entire body felt soaked and sticky, with haste she threw off the blanket from the rest of her body and walked over the window.

Her head ached and her feet felt wobbly and unstable as she attempted to stand while shutting the window, she turned around to find a change of clothes and heard a slight tapping at glass of the window pane. She turned and shot the window a questioning look and blinked and there on her balcony stood a girl about her age, shadows cast themselves upon the girl’s features, her hair was damp and stringy as if she had just taken a shower, she smiled impishly and looked Tara up and down admiring her body.

Before Tara could ask who she was the girl began to talk, “suddenly I heard a tapping, as if someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door, you heard me rapping right?” she asked circling Tara.

Tara watched the mysterious girl with the wet brown hair dance around her, she wore a long sleeved red blouse that hung off her shoulders and stopped just before her navel, followed by tight black pants.

“W-W-Wuh -What do y-you w-want?” Tara asked blushing at the close contact of stranger, the breeze came in again from the open window and wrapped it's self around Tara’s drenched body making her shiver.

The girl flashed her a sultry grin and tenderly pushed a piece of Tara’s hair behind her ears to get a better view at her face, “No, the question is what you want, I have what you need, Tara... I can help you get your cure...” the girl replied.

“M-My w-what?” Tara asked unclear of what exactly the girl was suggesting.

“Your cure” the girl repeated patiently, “that’s a nasty little curse you have isn’t it? It’s a pity your so beautiful and yet your forced into isolation because you have an itty bitty demon inside of you”, the girl’s fingers moved from Tara’s hair and down to her collar bone and stretched onward with the pad of her middle finger until it was at the beginning of the valley between Tara’s breasts.


Tara’s breathing hitched, she shivered again and this time not from the cold air. This woman’s body language was seductive and sensual, she moved to a swaying beat that Tara was unable to hear. This woman frightened her, her entire being reeked of dark energy and magic, her eyes were half lidded and made her look like she was caught in a trance.

Tara unwillingly listened to what the woman had to say, she had wanted a cure to her curse everyday of her life, she wanted to be free of it more than anything so she could be outside and be with Willow. Where was Willow? She thought unable to recall returning home after the playground incident. She thought for a moment and then decided to throw caution to the wind, she’d do almost anything to be free and she couldn’t pass this opportunity up if what the woman offered was the truth.


“I will go with you... may I change?” Tara replied polietly ignoring the fact that the stranger’s finger’s were bordering on naughty touching.

“Of course” the woman nodded moving her hand back to her side, “by the way I’m Amy” she said smiling a bit more friendly this time.


She sat on the unmade bed and waited while Tara got dressed in her bathroom changing into faded blue jeans and a gray sweater. When she emerged Amy smiled and got up and offered her hand for Tara to hold so she could lead her. Tara reluctantly took her hand wishing it were Willow’s instead, Amy’s hand felt cold and clamy against hers. They walked over to the window and Amy climed out and onto the open balcony of rusty steel encased in green and dark purple vines of oak and ivy, Tara copied Amy and held onto the railing.

Amy let go of Tara’s hand and wrapped her arms around her waist pulling her in, Tara immediately stiffened feeling uncomfortable.

Amy giggled, “Oh relax, I just need to hold on to you to float us down, I wasn’t trying to make a pass at you... who would blame me if I did though... you are pretty damn cute” Amy remarked grinning, Tara blushed furiously and her hair fell into her face.


She gripped tightly to Amy’s waist as she felt a invisible force lift them up off the balcony and slowly dropped them to the pavement. Amy immediately began walking as soon as they landed and Tara followed behind her walking quickly to keep up.

They passed the wall with the graffiti, and Tara looked up at the giant words that had once looked so tiny from her window, the words “FREE YOUR MIND” seemed to stare down at her, warning her to pay heed, but she ventured on into the dark alleyway ahead.

Magic junkies walked groggy and restless in the thick stench of the sewer air which filled the connecting alleyways of Sunny dale. Tara clutched Amy’s hand again to seek comfort, the junkies glared down at her menicingly if she even glanced their way, she kept her head down and followed Amy quickly. She keep a constant distance from the junkies.

____________________________________________________________

Willow remained asleep her breathing showing no hinderance, she dreamt unaware of what she would wake up to find.

[Laragh]

DIBS!

Ripper's called again! I'm starting to wonder if/when he realises that Willow is staying in his house, that Willow will recognise him...Would they even meet if they both work for The Master? I'm sure it's possible but not 100% either.

Oh god, Amy having Tara is definitely not of the good

Can Willow find her, pretty pretty please??

[Finey_McFine]

Ahhhggghhh! The entire time Tara was talking to Amy I just kept saying, 'Wake up Willow!!! Wake up!!'

With all the evil that lurks there, one would think that Tara wouldn't be so naive as to leave with a total stranger, but then I realized that she IS that naive. I mean, she's been cloistered in that room and has no real concept of the outside world. Stupid Amy.

Now I'm worried for them both. Amy taking Tara: Not good. Willow going to look for Tara: Not good. Hopefully The Master doesn't find Willow first. I'm also wondering why he summoned Ripper. Does he want Ripper to go after Willow, now that she has escaped??

Too many questions...more updates please!

[Promthea128]

"Willow wake up and rescue your girl!!" Amy, Rack, the Master, Ripper, so much badness. W+T need to become cool monster fighters soon.

Anyways hooray for Willow saving the day! I essentially imagined the scene like teen titans episode birthmark when raven draws her cape over robin who collapsed and dark energy covers them and they morph though the ground into the sky... And now I'm babbling about stuff probably no one has heard of ... I blame Willow.

I did a rant once about how that arc annoyed me cause it made people think it was a Robin/Raven pairing, when it totally supposed to be Raven/Beast Boy and Robin/Starfire. Or Robin/Batgirl, but she was never on the show

[KnightlyLove]

Fucking Amy I hate her. She was always an oddly asexual character to me in the series, so it was strange to see her in that role - certainly a temptress, but never sexually, you know?
Your Giles is fascinating to me. The fun part of Giles's character is that while he intellectually and emotionally understands "being good," in essence he truly isn't - unlike, for example, Tara. Tara's goodness is more than just innocence, and I wonder if/when that will come up in the story. "That" being: the inherent contradiction in Giles's character, esp in this particular situation (i.e. doing horrible things every day so that Tara will be safe); and Tara being good to the bone.
I can see so much potential in the story and characters you have here, thanks for updating!

[nightmask]

Laragh: all in good time I promise w/t goodness [:

Finey_McFine: awesome predictions you seem to know where I'm going w/ the story but I still have a few plot twists up my sleeve [:

Promethea128: omg yes! Finally someone who watches teen titans!!

KnightlyLove: you are amazing for helping me edit my story and giving such awesome feedback I can't wait to read more of your story!

[nightmask]

author's note: sorry for the long wait I had lots of homework and art projects that needed to get done. Special thanks to KnightlyLove for helping me edit my story!!!

Part eleven:

Two bright green eyes flicked back and forth before crossing the street. Willow clutched her back pack close to her body to soften the rattiling of her loose books moving around as she walked home from her high school, a torn up rotting building with numerous holes and cracks everywhere you looked. She was lucky to have survived long enough to have the chance to go to school at all, because many children were taken away from their parents when they could not pay off their blood debts and were killed or used as drinking toys for vampires. Willow turned the last corner of her route and froze.

Her house, her childhood house of white with a blue roof, was burning in a  consuming fire that flickered it’s colors higher and higher, spitting sparks into the sky. Ashes fell from the sky like snow and stained Willow's face and clothes with soot. Her bag fell from her grip and she forced herself to move closer to the driveway.

The heat choked her eyes and throat, she could taste coal and dust everything smelt of wood when it blackens.  She ran through the open door,cringing away from the flames which made her vision blurry and red. Willow rubbed at her eyes and coughed as the dark smoke entered her lungs. Cinders sprayed out and crackled, dying as they touched the floor, bigger ones remained alive and glowing they looked like scabs under a hot orange light. 

“MOM! DAD! WHERE ARE YOU?!” she screamed, only the creaking of broken wood and the loud flapping of the fire answered her as it licked and swirled around the building infected everything with it’s scorching desire to destroy.

She began to sweat and the soot became caked onto her skin. She moved around frantically while trying to avoid the flames, she ran upstairs and tripped on the final step when the loud collapse of a wall startled her. She quickly got up and ran down the hallway, turning the knob to her parents room before drawing back with a hiss of pain. The metal knob had seared her skin, so she violently kicked at the wooden door marking it with her shoes.

She swore loudly before closing her eyes and focusing her magic. “OBVIAM!”  she yelled and the door blasted open crumbling at her feet. 

Her heart raced and adrenaline coursed as she took in her new surroundings upon entering her parent’s room. There on the bed lay her mother drained of all blood, face down of the bed cover. Willow, trembling and holding her breath, moved closer. She gently pressed two fingers onto her mother’s neck to feel her pulse, but her body was cold and no life jumped beneath her touch.

On the floor next to the bed her father’s body splayed on the floor, his glasses broken and hanging lopsided on his face, his eyes open staring up at the ceiling. The wall had blood splatters on it  and was marked with browning finger prints; he had struggled to stay alive. This fire was no accident, it was a cover up for murder. Willow shuddered and fell to her knees sobbing. She wanted to die in this fiery prison. 

She could taste ash in her mouth and could feel grime between her fingers and under her nails.

Embers sparked off of the walls and part of the ceiling and settled on the back of Willow’s shirt; before singeing her skin as the fabric deteriorated, they licked at her flesh and brutally burned her. As more sparks began to fall, she flinched but refused to move letting the pain numb her mind.

“Godess let the fire consume me,” she thought as a pair heavy foot steps hit the stairs and entered the room.


“Godammit, this is the wrong house! They never even praticed magic and they have no record of blood debts, why couldn’t you wait for me?You fucked up big this time,” a voice shouted. 

Willow could make out two shadowy figures standing in the door way. The light fixtures had begun to flicker on and off as the fire knawed at the electrical chords. She couldn’t get a good look at either of their faces, but the one with blood all smeared all over his clothes and hands had his sleeves rolled up and on the inside of his arm was a tattoo, the mark of Igon. Willow recgnized it from one of her spell books.

“So what? We're above the law! I’ll do what I want, just stay out of my way,” the man stained in blood replied.

“Get out of here, I’ll take care of the kid,” the other man commanded.


He walked over to Willow and picked her limp form up in his arms and took her out of the house before it collapsed. He left her at the steps of a hospital and walked out, his shadow passing over Willow’s face before she passed out from breathing in the fumes.
[i]


Willow slowly blinked her eyes open her eyelashes felt moist as she blinked, she had been crying. She sat up and the dream returned to her, that night 3 years ago when her parents died. That monster had killed her parents for no good reason and burned her house, leaving her alone in the world.


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Rupert exited the elevator and walked right up to the Master’s desk, not bothering to hide his annoyance. 

“You wanted to see me?” he grumbled, glaring down at the Master, who ignored his rudeness.

“Ah, yes, thank you for coming. I have your new assignment,” he said, grinning. His spidery white fingers fumbled inside of his draw and removed a manilla folder holding a small pile of papers. He opened it to reveal a tiny picture of Willow attached by a paperclip to one side of the folder.

“Hot off the meat truck,” Angel snarkily commented from across the room.

“Is there a reason you couldn’t phone me this target?” Rupert asked, flipping casually through the file.

“This is a job of special importance, involving an employee of mine. She hasn’t showed up to work after a little spat she had with my children...” the master explained.

“Bitch burned my face she did!” Drusilla whined, tossing herself on the couch.

Rupert studied Willow’s face carefully and then saw her old address next to her name. He recognized it.

“I cannot do this job,” he said, turning his back to the Master and started to walk away. “That girl has suffered enough after what happened to her family."

He was stopped by Angel and Spike who stood in his way. “You break my friggin heart!” Angel scoffed pushing Rupert down into a seat.

“You can reunite them!” Spike snickered taunting Rupert.


The watch-man shook his head and looked down at his feet. He couldn’t kill anymore innocent people, if he did, he was sure he would loose his remaining sanity.

The Master came around from behind the desk and stood towering over Rupert. “Remember who you are, remember what you did to Allison."

Rupert clapped his hands over his ears, he didn’t need to hear this from this sick bastard, “Ally was past helping, Tara’s life was slipping... she needed her dad and I needed skilled hands. So I fixed things,” The Master said, reminding Rupert of that night when everything died in him.

“We made an agreement,” The Master said, rolling up Rupert’s sleeve to show the tattoo all Watch-men had to bear to show their allegiance to the Master: the mark of Igon.

“I will honor that agreement,” Rupert looked down with loathing at the ink that marked his skin. He felt lower than shit... he deserved to die.

“Then you’ll do as you are told, so Tara never knows about that dark and fateful night,” the Master threatened.

“Or my secret Watch-man life.” Rupert added, remembering the contract which he signed before becoming an official Watch-man.

Rupert lowered his head into his palms in defeat. He knew now what he must do.

“Dear Ally, I am so sorry, can you forgive me for this?”Rupert whispered solemnly, his voice cracking.
[/i]

[Laragh]

DIBS!

Wow, that first bit was heartwrenching :( I really felt Willow's pain.

Giles better not hurt Willow!! :( :(

I'm holding you to your promise of W/T goodness!

[Promthea128]

So Ripper killed Willow's parents, but refuses to kill her because she's an innocent. Willow hates Ripper, and probably wouldn't say no to some sort of revenge if she got the chance. So not gonna be good when they find out they're living together. And where's Tara? Ahh!

omg yes! Finally someone who watches teen titans!!

lol I saw the first two seasons before it went off the air in my area. I went online to watch the Raven-Trigon arc, just cause Raven's awesome. I've also read a couple T T comics, the old ones, and the ones with Wonder Girl II, Superboy, Robin III / V and Impulse/Kid Flash. I'm part of almost ever aspect of nerdhood.

[KnightlyLove]

Lookin good I did badly on that second sentence, sorry! I so wish you had Microsoft Word :/
anyway not sure how much more feedback to give, except that I love your Giles...

[Finey_McFine]

Ugh!!! Poor Willow, that was gut wrenching! I'm wondering if she saw Ripper's face and will recognize him.

After that dream and in the emotional state she's in...she's gonna freak when she realizes that Tara's gone. I hope she figures out where she is soon cuz hanging out with Rack and Amy, cannot be good!!!


I hope Giles doesn't hurt Willow, but if he does, that will more than likely be just what Tara needs to convince her to leave with Willow.

More please!!!

[nightmask]

Laragh: Don't worry there shall be plenty of W/T goodness ahead! Thanks for reading [:

Promthea128: Oh man your really going to enjoy the plot twist when I get to it hehe ^.^ And I agree raven is incredible! I spent my entire elementary/ middle school life reading Teen Titan comics to the point where I think I should start looking into some x-men comics.

KnightlyLove: Thank you! And don't worry about it you've helped me so much with this story

Finey_McFine: wow I'm glad your getting so into the story [: next chapter directly below enjoy!

[nightmask]

Author's note: damnnnn this chapter is long... sorry it took me awhile to update.


Part Twelve:

Willow threw back the blankets that covered her body and sat up adjusting her eyes to the darkness of the closet.

“Tara?” she called out, there was no reply.

She sat on her knees and slid the door open, Tara’s room was drafty, Willow noticed the window was open. She also noticed Tara was gone, Willow jumped to her feet and grabbed her shoes, she quickly shoved them on her feet and looked out the window.

All she saw were dark empty streets and heard the noises echoing off of the highway. Willow stepped out of the window ledge and onto the balcony, there was no way of getting down without magic and she was still pretty drained. Willow took deep shaky breaths as she climed over the railing of the balcony and slowly eased herself down one of the columns covered in prickly vines until she met the ground.

Suddenly she began to wish she had brought a flashlight with her the looming darkness buried all that surrounded her in frightening shadows that warped when it made contact with her imagination.

Willow walked fast her eyes darting everywhere, but where would Tara go? Following her instincts Willow began to wind through the endless alleyways searching desperately in the labyrinth of streets for Tara.
_____________________________________________________________

Amy led Tara directly to the end of an alleyway unperturbed by the junkies eyeing up the young teenager that clung to her.

“W-Where are you t-taking me?” Tara questioned, her shoes dragged against the pavement making soft shuffling sounds indicating her unsure steps.

“You’ll see, just a bit further, I’m taking you to a friend of mine. They can find your cure...” Amy replied with a fake sweetness.

Everything within Tara screamed for her to go back, to run to her room and hide in it’s safety. She couldn’t, she was afraid of running, what if the junkies chased her? Or what if she never found her cure? But her curiousity had be unquenched for so long she was desperate for any answer one could provide so she ventured on.

Amy stopped at the brick wall and brushed a hand over the coarse bricks and it rippled under her touch like water. The air around them felt warm as they moved closer to the wall, Tara could sense the work of magic radiating off the bricks, Amy passed through the wall and pulled Tara along with her, the barrier felt like smoke and let them pass with ease.

They entered a type of waiting room with couches pushed up against the wall, various crinkled magazines were scattered amongst small tables. A few other people sat on the couches or leaned against the wall looking around nervously, each fumbled with something in their hands looking anxious and jittery.

Amy went over to a door and knocked on it, one of the people sitting took notice, “Hey wait your turn!” they grumbled at her.

Amy ingnored them and pulled Tara into the room when the door opened.

“Well, well kitten are we back for more? Did you enjoy our last little visit?” a voice questioned from behind Tara.

Rack’s hot breath blew steadily onto Tara’s neck, he could almost taste the fear coming off of her when she recalled whose voice it was.
_____________________________________________________________

Willow walked fast and stopped several suspicious looking people along the way, asking if they had seen Tara. One of them had pointed her in the direction of a brick wall at the end of an alleyway, Willow studied the bricks in doubt, but she could feel a warmth emanating off of it. She pressed her hand to the wall expecting it to be solid, but it allowed her hand to pass right through. Willow swallowed and walked forward through the invisible barrier of the wall, she found herself inside of a waiting room with people shooting her odd looks.

“Has anyone seen a girl about my age with dark blonde hair and blue eyes?” Willow asked infront of the room, several people shook their heads and returned to their magazines, but one young man pointed to the door behind Willow.

She nodded her head in thanks and knocked on the door.

Tara shuddered, she could smell Rack’s scent that he carried, it let her know that he was real.

He smelt of black licorice and car fumes, it made her want to hold her breath. Rack turned his head at a dull knocking at the door.

“Not now I’m busy!” he yelled back, annoyed at being interupted.


He looped his arm around Tara’s waist and pulled her along with him, she dragged her feet in protest and squirmed to get away. He pushed her onto a couch and sat next to her, Amy had disappeared and now it was just them. The dull knocking grew louder, but Rack ignored it, he took a piece of Tara’s hair and coiled it around his finger before bringing it underneath his nose to smell it.

“OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR!” a voice screamed from inside another room.

Rack pressed a hand over Tara’s mouth so she wouldn’t scream, “Fuck off! I’m busy!” Rack replied.
_____________________________________________________________

Willow was growing impatient and everyone in the waiting room was watching her like she was a lunatic.

A dirty looking man approached her and laid a hand on Willow’s shoulder, “Hey sister you gotta wait your turn like the rest of us” he growled.

Willow brushed off his hand and glared at him, “Don't touch me!” she replied darkly.

She turned her atention back to the door and began to kick at it and wiggle the knob, hoping it would become unlocked.
_____________________________________________________________

“Now how’s about we take our little game to the next level?” Rack whispered into Tara’s ear.

She shivered and squeezed her eyes shut, her audible protests were muffled by Rack’s hand. The hand on her waist inched it’s way underneath the fabric of Tara’s sweater, Tara fidgeted and fought to get away. He held her tightly while he unzipped the gray sweater until it hung loosely off of her shoulders. She had rushed when Amy had come for her so she had opted out of wearing a shirt underneath, this seemed to amuse Rack as he found nothing but a white bra underneath her sweater.

Tara’s heart pounded loudly, she was going to be raped, Rack was going to rape her and then exchange their magic again. Where was Willow, how could she have been so stupid to have believed in Amy’s lies? She was going to be raped and their was nothing she could do. Her body was still under the control of Rack’s powers. He knew she needed another magical exchange and that her body was craving it like a drug, he loved it when he could manipulate young girls like this.

The loud pounding at the door began to match Tara’s heart beat and the pulsing thud of blood being pumped inside of her ears.
_____________________________________________________________

Willow’s anger began to fill her entire body giving her new strength, she could feel her magic returning and filling her senses. She stepped back from the door, she extended her arm and opened her palm, she waited a few seconds and then closed it tight into a fist. Without speaking an incantation, the door blew off it’s hinges and imploded into the room.

As she took in the scene before her, Willow felt like she could breathe dark smoke she could sense fire flowing through her veins in anger.

Rack had his hand snaked around her girlfriend’s waist, her sweater was open, revealing her heavy breathing chest with only a white bra underneath. Tara’s eyes were clenched closed and tears were leaking out of the cornners. Rack glared at Willow and got up off of the couch to face the red head.

“My, my isn’t this a treat? Two young girls for me to play with tonight, it must be my lucky day” he smirked.

He began to move his hands together letting loose a dull crackling sound like static. A green glow began to burn in his hands and with each word whispered under his breath the glow grew brighter and the crackling became louder.

Willow was unamused and had no time for playing games, “Goddess Hectate, work thy will. Before thee let the unclean thing crawl!” she pointed to Rack and his form began to shrivel and shrink. His clothes fell off of him as he grew smaller and a rat crawled out of the pile of fabric that puddled on the floor.

Tara watched the entire scene unfold before her, Willow softly approached her, the way the red head looked at her with a pained expression made her feel like she was a wounded animal left for dead.

“T-Tara h-he d-didn’t do anything t-to you r-right?” Willow whispered, she felt chills running up her back in horror and the sight of Tara’s opened sweater and her almost fully undressed chest.

“No he didn’t ... he w-was going to” Tara replied, she got up and walked towards Willow steadily, “Oh goddess Willow I was so scared”, her voice cracked and she began to sob.

Willow closed the space between the and held Tara close to her, letting the crying girl bury her face in her shoulder. She stroked the back of Tara’s soft hair and made soft hushing sounds to calm her down. She slowly drew back and wiped away Tara’s tears with her thumb. Willow then chastly kissed the top of Tara’s head before kissing her deeply until the lack of breath made her head spin.

She pulled back and stroked Tara’s cheek, “Come on, let’s get out of here” she said, Tara nodded and zipped up her sweater.

Willow clasped her hand in Tara’s as the exited the secret building, “How did you find me?” Tara asked, Willow squeezed her hand gently.

“I’ll always find you, your my girl” Willow responded, Tara blushed and flashed Willow with an adorable half grin.

[Finey_McFine]

DIBS!

A big thank you for not letting the angst go on too long! So glad that Willow was able to find Tara so fast before anything worse happened to her. Now that Rack is a rat, I would imagine that Amy will probably want to seek some sort of revenge, I'm really not fond of her.

Unfortunately, I don't think that Amy is their biggest problem, as they still have to deal with Ripper. You're building up lot's of suspense here...can't wait to see what happens!!!

[Laragh]

An update, an update!! Woohoo! And long! Double woohoo!

God, poor Willow waking up to no Tara :(

I hate, hate, hate Rack!!! He's so creepy and wrong!!! Oh god, poor Tara!!! No, no, no, Rack can't rape her!!

Thank god Willow got there!! You have my heart pounding in my chest!!

I hope Tara's safe now and she'll tell Willow about the 'curse' so they can debunk it for good!!!!!!

[Promthea128]

Really, really hoping Rack is out of the picture. He's gross, icky, slimey. Shudder. And there is still enough angst and drama with Ripper, the threat of Tara's demon, the Master and his vampires. And Amy, if she still wants to be a bitch.

[KnightlyLove]

Hehe. Broken Willow it is I like
And let's all just pray that fucking Rack is gone now.

What is Giles doiiiiinnnggggg???

[nightmask]

Finey_McFine: I promised w/t goodness and I shall deliver :] Thanks for reading!

Laragh: I agree I hate rack too I'm happy I made him into a rat ^.^

Promthea128: So far I'm sure rack is out of the picture, but Willow and Tara still have much to overcome.

KnightlyLove: haha I love that everyone hates rack so much ;] Thank you so much for editing and looking over the next chapter!

[nightmask]

author's note: I wrote this chapter instead of doing my sat practice homework hehe :] yay for procrastination! Oh um warning before you read; things kind of heat up later on...

Willow and Tara had just started walking to the house when it started to rain again. The two girls huddled closely for warmth, their clothes became drenched within seconds, the sky flashed white before them and then returned to the dark and stormy sky that it was. Automatically Tara counted to ten and right on cue a loud rumble filled their ears echoing the light. 

Willow shivered and grasped Tara’s hand more tightly, ‘I have to be brave for Tara’ she thought to herself, but it was hard resisting the urge to flinch every time she heard the thunder.

She glanced over at Tara, she was shivering too, her lips were turning purple and her face was drained of all color. Willow’s eyebrows furrowed, she rubbed both of her hands against Tara’s in attempt to warm her up.They began to walk faster, their clothing felt heavy and clung tightly to their skin, the sticky fabric held the cold against their flesh.
_____________________________________________________________

Rupert had been ordered to look for Willow Rosenberg and to restrain her before bringing her back to The Master, even if it took all night. He started his search at Willow’s current residence; a dingy apartment building that had been left vacant for days.

The whole time Rupert prayed he wouldn’t encounter the poor girl and have to follow through with his orders. He searched half-heartedly through her apartment for any clue to where she may be, and finding none he exited the building just as it began to rain. Rupert grimanced deciding right then and there that this was possibly the worst week of his life after the death of Alison.
_____________________________________________________________
When the two witches finally reached the door to Tara’s house Willow stopped, “Tara, is your dad home?” she asked biting her lip.

Tara shook her head no, she remembred that her dad had said he’d be working late tonight which usually meant he’d be home in three to four hours. Willow opened the front door for Tara before letting herself in, their shoes made squishing noises as they walked up the stairs.

Tara entered her room and collapsed on her bed worn out, she didn’t bother with turning on the lights she was too tired. The window had remained open all the time that they were gone, the wind had circulated throughout Tara’s room for so long that it felt warmer outside in the rain.

“It’s s-so c-cold,” Tara whispered to Willow.

“I’ll close the window,” Willow offered, she crossed Tara’s room and went over to the window and pulled it inward and turned the latch down until it clicked shut. 


Willow joined Tara on the bed. Tara was uncontrollably shaking, since she wasn’t used to rain storms and being drenched in cold water for so long.

“Willow?” Tara asked sheepishly.

“Hmmm?” Willow responded.

“Close your eyes,” Tara whispered into Willow’s ear, before she closed her eyes the last thing she saw was Tara lifting up her shirt.


Willow listened closely to the suggestive rustling of clothes, and she could feel her face turning red at the thought of Tara undressing right in front of her. Tara slipped out of her wet clothes and got under the covers.


“W-Willow, c-can you h-hold me?” Tara asked, her voice was soft and uncertain, she wasn’t sure if Willow would get the wrong idea.

Willow slowly opened her eyes and dragged them along the shape of Tara’s draped figure until she met blue eyes. Willow nodded and watched while Tara turned over on her side giving Willow privacy to remove her wet clothes. Willow shakily peeled her soggy shirt off of her skin, followed by her bra and pants. She hesistated with removeing her underwear, if she did would it lead to sex? Did Tara want sex so early in their relationship? Willow thought for a moment and then slid her underwear off, if Tara trusted her enough to be fully undressed in her company then she felt she should trust Tara the same.

Willow pulled up the cornner of the blanket and slid in between the sheets next to Tara. Willow cautiously inched closer to Tara’s body until she could feel the tips of her nipples pressing into the crest of Tara’s back. Willow tenderly positioned her hand on the curve of Tara’s hip, she noticed how cold her fingers felt against Tara’s smoldering skin and the sudden effect it had on Tara. Tara whimpered breathily from the cold brush of Willow’s fingertips on a place where no one had ever touched her before, her body was no longer meant only for her use, but now it was also meant for Willow to enjoy.

Willow encircled her arm loosely around Tara’s naked waist, she could feel the swell of Tara’s breasts brush against her. Tara listened vigilantly to Willow’s light intakes of air, her chest pressed closer into Tara each time she inhaled. Tara felt her body slowly become ignited by Willow’s body heat, she wanted to turn over and see Willow in all her glory, but she was tentative in losing this heavenly contact. 

Before she could ask Willow was the first to speak up, “Tara? Can I see you? I promise I won’t do anything that your not comfortable with it’s just well.... I want your eyes to be the last thing I see before I fall asleep”.

“Oh... uh okay” she replied lamely.

Tara nervously turned over and focused her eyes on Willow’s, she watched while Willow’s eyes crept downward and blushed when they met her breasts. Willow felt her face heating up, she knew she had a blush to match Tara’s, so she pulled her eyes back up to be polite. 

“Your really beautiful” Willow said enlacing her hand in Tara’s.

“You always make me feel so special how do you do that?” Tara asked, she stroked Willow cheek with her thumb loving the way the texture of Willow’s skin would always stay so smooth and fair.  It was speckled with her adorable freckles that ran down the length of her neck and onward past the valley between her pert rosy breasts.

“Magic,” Willow responded feeling giddy and light headed, Tara pressed her body closer into Willow’s so that their breasts touched and stomachs met. 

Tara leaned in and took Willow’s lips in hers, the adorable red-head in her arms tasted of strawberries and it made her tremble and curl her toes every second that their mouths connected.

They broke apart and Tara snuggled into the dip of Willow’s shoulder, she draped an arm around Willow’s waist. Her fingers traced the parts of Willow’s spine that poked out and dipped her index finger between her shoulder blades, it was there that she once again felt the mysterious scars.

Willow for the second time that day felt Tara fingering her scars and knew she had to say something, “My scars, they’re from when my parents died three years ago...” she began feeling Tara’s concentration shift to her voice.

“My parents were murdered by watchmen, they set the house on fire and I ran in to find my parents and the sparks got on me” Willow finished, she could feel the old need to cry and the tightness within her chest building up within her.


Tara gently stroked the scars and whispered she was sorry that this had happened to Willow, she thought back to early in the day, to the tarot reading and what Willow had said about ‘secrets being revealed’ and realized it was time to trust Willow with her own secret.

“Willow, I haven’t been telling you the entire truth about why I must stay in my room and why I couldn’t have you touch me back at the park...” she said, taking in a deep breath she continued, “... my sickness isn’t actually a sickness it’s a curse, Willow... I’m a ... I’m uh ... I’m a demon, inside of me is a demon waiting to wake up and kill innocent people, my mother had the curse before I was born and when she died giving birth to me it got passed down to me as the next host,” she then closed  her eyes and waited.

She waited for Willow to get up and to leave, she waited for Willow to flinch and express her revoltion, she waited for the rejection she had been anticipating ever since she met Willow, and to her amazement she would forever be waiting.


Willow wrapped her arms around her waist and kissed her lips, like nothing Tara ever could say would upset her, “Tara, listen to me I don’t care if your a demon, because it’s a part of you and if it’s a part of you then I fully embrace it, nothing you ever do or ever say will make me give up on wanting to be with you. I look at you and my scars feel as if they’ve healed and all the hate that I’ve ever felt has been washed away, I’ve never felt a euphoria as intense as this before.”

Warm tears gathered in the corners of Tara’s eyes and dripped down onto the pillow they were sharing. She nuzzled closer into Willow’s shoulder and let the red-head run her hands through her hair to comfort her. After some time sleep found them and let them meet inside of their dreams.

[Ariel]

Dibs!!!

Nightmask:

Can’t believe I missed the last update! Glad to be back! The story is imaginative, rich in detail; I really see and feel the surroundings. Rack, yeah he is a RAT – nice work, Willow!

Moving on to your last post:

“I’ll close the window,” Willow offered, she crossed Tara’s room and went over to the window and pulled it inward and turned the latch down until it clicked shut.

Loved the simple detail of how the window is latched; it made me picture both the window and the wall around it. Everything came to life!

Willow pulled up the cornner of the blanket and slid in between the sheets next to Tara. Willow cautiously inched closer to Tara’s body until she could feel the tips of her nipples pressing into the crest of Tara’s back. Willow tenderly positioned her hand on the curve of Tara’s hip, she noticed how cold her fingers felt against Tara’s smoldering skin and the sudden effect it had on Tara. Tara whimpered breathily from the cold brush of Willow’s fingertips on a place where no one had ever touched her before, her body was no longer meant only for her use, but now it was also meant for Willow to enjoy.

Willow encircled her arm loosely around Tara’s naked waist, she could feel the swell of Tara’s breasts brush against her. Tara listened vigilantly to Willow’s light intakes of air, her chest pressed closer into Tara each time she inhaled. Tara felt her body slowly become ignited by Willow’s body heat, she wanted to turn over and see Willow in all her glory, but she was tentative in losing this heavenly contact.

Beautiful, accurate images of the cold, the cuddling, and the heat between them.

I want your eyes to be the last thing I see before I fall asleep”.

*sigh* Tender and romantic.

Thank-you.

Ariel
How I Met Your Mother

[Laragh]

I do love this story so!

Aww, cold, shy Tara! Cute lol

I love the way you incorporate lines from the show. It can seemed forced or unnatural sometimes in fic but with this it just flows...

I thought the naked cuddles/sleep was amazing. A whole new level of intimacy without going too far to places they're not ready.

Sweet chapter, loved it!

[Finey_McFine]

Nightmask!

Fantasmic update! The descriptions and imagery that you are putting into the story is really great. Not only could I picture everything, but I could almost feel the rain and the coolness of Tara's room.

Tara whimpered breathily from the cold brush of Willow’s fingertips on a place where no one had ever touched her before, her body was no longer meant only for her use, but now it was also meant for Willow to enjoy.

With one small sentence you managed to sum up Tara's trust and her willingness to give herself over to Willow freely. Nicely done!

I really don't know what to say about Giles. I'm worried that he will catch them together and all hell will break loose. In my head I'm thinking all the different ways it could go and none of them end well for him. So, I'll just stop speculating and leave the story telling up to you!

As always...can't wait for more!