TEMPUS FUGIT -- Absolute Zero (S4)

[lipkandy]

Snuggle! you snuck in between posts. now that's what I call serious flexibility. Happy late New Year to you too and all the Kittensyes, Faith's mind is a dark place for the most part, especially when she's being held by the Council. I know there's a lot going on, but Willow kinda spilled the beans about Tara accidentally so Buffy's not as perceptive as she seems. and Anya...that 1200 year-old doesn't miss a thing, especially when it's sex-related.



darkmagicwillow sneaky Willow turned up on my hard drive, but escaped again. I know it's probably my prejudice about Faith and Tara -- there are a lot of people on Pens who HATE Faith with a passion, which I can understand...almost.

I guess I've had a lot of very difficult, hard-edged friends who appeared Faith-like to outsiders, but were unfailingly loyal and sweet to people they trusted. not naming any names or anything. oh and hot too. did I mention hot??



jix hey! thanks and I apologize in advance to everyone for the angst. and I'm glad you think it's worth it.



xomel

[Sean Gaffney]

The series continues to be well-written as always... these are just some random thoughts.



You handled Tara's POV very well in Part 6 (7? We seemed to go from 6 to 8...). Her natural reticence and out-of-place shyness makes her ideal to observe everything, and the fact that she can immediately get the group dynamics proves she's one sharp cookie. I like the fact that she and Buffy are bonding so quickly... shades of the relationship they would develop in Season Six...



Ah, Xander. So hard to write, especially in Season 4. A lot of W/T B/F fics I read aren't really sure how to handle Xander (including my own) and tend to either simply write him as 'mature best friend who has grown up' or as the annoying male guy they can't get rid of like Riley. ^_- You seem to be adept at showing Xander needing desperately to grow up but not being entirely unsympathetic.



As for Anya, I realize this is a W/T fic so it might not come up, but I'd be very interested to see if they have a falling out over this. Anya in Season 4 was still fairly one-note, and you clearly decided to develop her more in line with her 1200 years of experience, which is great. I think this should help them both in the end, as it will get rid of Anya's disillusions about Xander (she really held him on a pedestal for a while on the show) and help Xander realize he isn't simply dating a normal human girl with a tendency to be rude. She can help him realize that his anger at Faith is best directed in more productive ways than wishing her death and torture.



Willow and Giles weren't in these parts as much... poor Willow, she's really getting thrown about a lot lately. And I wonder if we've really heard the last of Giles' own doubts about Faith, though he is more mature about them. Oh, and Riley was in these parts, too. Hi, Riley! How's the corn?



And finally, Buffy. Buffy's desperation is shown here, and it looks very real. She's confused about the dreams, but determined to save Faith, and very frustrated at everyone's behavior. This, IMO, is why I don't think a Buffy relationship works with anyone but Faith. So much of how Buffy percieves things is as a Slayer. Riley is a nice, straight, steadfast guy, and *so* not what she needs. Only someone who can see what she does... like Faith. And now Buffy's seen a bit of Faith's past that I bet she didn't know about.



Hopefully when they rescue Faith, Faith won't be too annoyed at Tara for accidentally revealing this to Buffy... Faith's very cagey with what she lets people know about her. (Then again, this is Tara. She'll likely just put her lower lip out a bit and Faith will crumble into a ball of goo...)



Anyway, I'm sure I've put everyone to sleep by now... seriously, your fanfic is not only well-written, but also makes me think seriously about the show and its characters, something I hadn't really done since Tara's death. Good job.



--SG

[FunGirl]

OH the tension!

This is so awsome I had to reread the whole thing again.



I hope Tara has a chance to talk to Willow soon!

and when they rescue Faith, Buffy really hurts the counsel goons!

[Maccoda]

What a wonderful pair of updates! Your dialog is so intense and your imagery is magnificent.

[JewWitch18]

oooh mel! I am so glad I checked in from rhode island and found these two completely kick-ass updates. and you were right that no update of yours will ever be long enough for me! this last bit was particularly emblematic of your particular wow-ness: you write the mystical and the supernatural in a way that is just fucking transcendant. you make your readers feel, in their physical bodies, sensations that are beyond the physical, beyond anything that we should be able to make sense of. you make the supernatural, natural. I am strongly reminded of the big magic denoument in TFs7. you make me feel as if you really know what it feels like to make a pyschic link with another person.



and your characterizations are right on the mark, as usual. nobody writes tara like you, girl. and I love how deep you're going with taking us into the moment of tara's early development, in a fast-forward kind of way. her forcing herself not to reach out and comfort buffy, really captures early tara-- tender and compassionate, but also beginning to understand when those feelings (esp. for willow) have to be put aside for the moment, to focus on something more immmediate, something involving her really using her power. I can see the experience she just had as being a really important, powerful turning point for her in a lot of ways, and the beginning of the tight friendship between her and faith that was suggested at the end of TFs7. as we have POINTEDLY avoided discussing thusfar...but hello! we already know they have a shitload in common: both lost their moms, both have implied abusive backrounds, both think they're no good after years of said abuse. now that they've had a psychic bond, I can only imagine tara becoming faith's number-one advocate from here on out. if anyone besides willow has a chance at bringing out protective-mama-bear-tara, it's faith. and I'm betting that this little vulcan mind-meld has some effect over faith as well...maybe gives her the strength to hold on until buffy comes and busts some council ass?



for this fine craftsmanship, you get the prestigious five-sheep award for excellence:

eep eep



I'm off to new hampshire now for a weekend of fun-below-freezing...can I just say how much I identify with the scoobs right now in the unnaturally-cold category? it's five freakin' degrees here-- I think we'll be trading in our skis for firewood!



love, JW

[lipkandy]

hey, back from my travels and thought I'd respond to some feedback.



Sean Gaffney thanks as always for your thoughtful response.

Quote:

---

Her natural reticence and out-of-place shyness makes her ideal to observe everything, and the fact that she can immediately get the group dynamics proves she's one sharp cookie.

---

That's one of the things I love about Tara. She's really the only member of the Scoobies who doesn't charge right in and that's a potentially invaluable resource...that they chose to ignore on the show. And Buffy and Tara's friendship...that was one of the things I didn't expect from this fic, but you take Willow and Riley out of the equation for just a few minutes and the two start connecting.



As for Anya, I'll let her be Anya and surprise the hell out of me. although I think we all know who wears the pants in that relationship

Quote:

---

This, IMO, is why I don't think a Buffy relationship works with anyone but Faith. So much of how Buffy percieves things is as a Slayer.

---

of course I agree completely. and this is another thing they didn't really explore on the show: Buffy's slayerness. Riley is the corn . he's yet another of her fruitless attempts to be "normal" when she really needs someone who can understand her on her own terms -- even if they are completely different people they're Slayers.



Fun Girl read the whole thing again! wow! and thank you. and don't worry, willow and Tara will talk...a lot. and maybe more. definitely more if they have anything to say about it.



Maccoda wow again! and thanks. I'm all blush-y now.



Jewwitch ack! you're in the northeast now!! *sigh* I was hoping we could hook up when I'm back in NYC in feb for....stuff (a gig and I have a reading -- woo hoo!!!). grrr.

but I'm so glad you checked in for the updates 'cause your feedback always makes me grin like an idiot. stuff like this:

Quote:

---

you write the mystical and the supernatural in a way that is just fucking transcendant. you make your readers feel, in their physical bodies, sensations that are beyond the physical, beyond anything that we should be able to make sense of. you make the supernatural, natural.

---

heh. see...speechless.and grinning.

and Tara...yeah. she was so underdeveloped on the show. her character sort of just leapt from this shy, cute-as heck pseudo riot grrrl in cargo pants and sneakers to a more mature, confident chick in, like, Grownup wear. I like the idea that she could be both at the same time. like she's stuttering her way emotionally out of her old self, but retaining the best because she doesn't have the weight of the demon secret.

and I love it that you GET what I'm going for with Tara and Faith. that these two come from the same place (potentially), but diverged dramatically, although as far as what effect this 'mind-meld' (heh) will have on them both...we'll just have to see. but the hostilities between Faith and Willow and Faith and well, everybody, aren't just going to go away. it will take a lot of time.

and this is one of the only times I'm glad I'm not in NYC anymore. zero degrees!?!?!?! wtf?







again thanks for posting and I'm going to shoot for an update this weekend although things are insane around here.

Edited by: lipkandy at: 1/19/04 11:27 am

[JewWitch18]

hey kandy,



I was beginning to think you'd dissapeared-- so glad you're back. I'm back in sunny CA now, but I'm sad I won't be around for your gig-- that would be sweet! did I tell ya I had a dream a while back that featured your CD as the soundtrack? I even had the thought, in the dream, that you must have got a big break 'cause you were on the radio. oh my mind is a funny, funny place. well anyway, I eagerly await your next installment, and I'm glad I still retain the title of head cheerleader. (if I'm torrence, then you must be...missy the uberdyke! ) I'm starting classes this week, so hopefully I'll be somewhat distracted from my usual hypervigilance with regard to updates...you really are lucky I have good impulse control.



love and pink elephants,

--JW

[JewWitch18]

hey you tease! you said update...didn't you say update? I need an update, mel. seriously. I have had a very traumatic week, and last thursday I had to call 911 because my schitzophrenic neighbor was threatening me and my other neighbors with a knife, then when the cops came he tried to cut them and then broke into another apartment that was not his, cut himself up crawling through the broken window, and basically scared the crap out of everybody. if I never have to hear anyone screaming "I'm gonna fucking kill you, you fucking dyke" while brandishing a knife again, it'll be to soon. he's been evicted, of course, but hopefully I'll already be moved out before he's released from the hospital.



plus, all these new valentine-themed smilies are just depressing the crap out of me. like this:



and this:



I feel like guinevere turner in go fish.



...so, you see, I really need an update. pretty please, with organic sugar on top?



--JW

[lipkandy]

ack! I know I said this weekend and I make no excuses I totally blew it. I forgot to check the calendar when I made that little deadline and real life bit me on the ass. I can say that Willow's section is done, it's just the other part that's killing me. I won't give anything away *checks to see if witchpunk is present*, but, um, that thing (and/or person) that they were, uh, looking for will be found and, um, re-acquired (but not without a fight) so to speak.



jewwitch I'm so sorry. unfortunately there's no 'I screwed up' emoticon. maybe this? and yes, it sucks that you won't be in nyc. maybe we'll meet up on your home turf sometime this summer. as for your lipkandy dream, we are on the radio, baby! college radio . glad to know I'm infiltrating your dreams. but your neighbor...dayum girl! talk about a prime example of the failure of our mental healthcare system. don't get me started. I'm just sorry you have to live next door to it. hopefully the guy will find some help soon. and I promise an update you will like *crossing fingers* very soon. it'll be my anti-Valentine to jewwitch/torrance -- missy style



xomel

[lipkandy]

for jewwitch and all the lovely kittens



Part 9

It took Willow almost four whole minutes to get into her dorm room. Through her quiet sobbing, her ice-cold keys seemed to dance away from her fingers, dropping to the floor repeatedly.



"I can't believe this," she yelled at the metal objects on the beige carpet of the hallway before turning back to the door in desperation. "Would you just frickin' open!"



There was a soft click and the doorknob turned easily in her hand. Sniffling, Willow eyed the door warily before bending to retrieve her keys. "Thanks," she said to the empty room as she stepped in, pushing the door shut with her foot. Taking in a deep, shuddering breath, she looked around the familiar contents and just felt lost and alone. And very, very cold. Buffy's bed, she noticed was unmade and her clothes were strewn on the floor as if she'd dressed hastily this morning.



To go rescue Faith. She got all dressed up to go…you know what? Not gonna go there.



No, she knew exactly where she was going. She had planned it all on the freezing walk from Giles' apartment: she was going home. Checking her calendar to make sure, she found that her parents were out of town for the next two weeks. Just enough time to find another dorm room, an apartment, or maybe even transfer out of this terrible place for good. Away from the vampires and the Hellmouth and Buffy and Tara…



She started crying again almost immediately. All the way to the dorm, even as angry as she was, she had harbored a secret hope that someone would come after her, but no one had. Of course, the rational side of her brain knew that they all had more important things to do with the apocalypse and everything, but she could still be a little hurt. A little angry. Couldn't she?



"Why is it so hard for me to just be mad? I mean, Buffy deserves it! All self-righteous and commander-y and who the hell does she think she is? This isn't the Buffy the Vampire Slayer show!" she said angrily to the empty room then sat heavily on her bed with a loud sigh.



Her side of the room was, of course, immaculate, which just made her more unhappy. From her new vantage from her bed she could see the edge of the Slayer's weapon's chest sticking out from underneath her bed. That wasn't good. Buffy was sure to need something from that chest and she really didn't want a confrontation. She wanted to be gone, wanted them all to miss her and wish she were there.



"Yeah, right. Like that's going to happen." They had probably forgotten all about her the second the door closed. In fact, they were probably having a party right now to celebrate her departure.



"I am so outta here," she said and reached under her bed for her bag. She began carefully folding clothing and packing it in ordered stacks, but she couldn't stop thinking about the fight with Buffy and Tara's admission.



It all made her furious and she felt the tears begin to stream down her face again as she began angrily stuffing clothing indiscriminately into her bag.



"Well, now you can find some other faithful, dog, geyser person to push around and…not sleep with and…" Well, what had Tara done exactly? She still hadn't gotten her head around that. It seemed at the time like a malicious sort of conspiracy with Anya. But Tara had asked for time to deal with something. Was that the something?



She shook her head to clear all thoughts of the confrontation from her mind. Right now, she needed to focus on packing what she needed and leaving. She could think about everything later. Her laptop fit snugly in her bag, padded by the heavy clothing and she began stuffing her backpack with textbooks. A few spell books remained on the shelf and she considered bringing a couple with her just in case.



No. This is it Rosenberg. No more vampires, spells or research girl.



Making a mental checklist she began to collect all of the things she needed -- bathroom supplies, jewelry, journals. She could come back later for the rest.



After the Apocalypse. No, there's not going to be an Apocalypse, they always beat it.

We always beat it.

Not gonna go there, remember?



As she turned to do one last sweep to make sure she had everything she needed she noticed the photo strip of her and Tara and her heart stopped, her breathing stopped. Everything stopped.



For just a moment she considered leaving it there, but it passed quickly and she picked the strip up with a shaking hand and slipped it into her jacket pocket. Feeling around inside the pocket she located her pink mitten and the sock she'd been forced to wear on her left hand since she'd loaned her only pair of her gloves to the Slayer.



Well, at least it was kind of warm, but she missed having an actual thumb on her left hand not to mention the pink.



"Pink mitten I command you. Show yourself!" she said dramatically to the room then sighed when her joking incantation was met with stillness. Shrugging she picked up the phone to call a taxi and stuffed the last of her belongings into a suitcase.



Dragging her bags into the hallway she closed the door and locked it. Turning her back on the dorm room she shared with Buffy, Willow picked up her bags and stood there for almost a minute, unable to move.



"Well, okay, maybe just the one magick book," she mumbled, "and some notes," unlocking the door to retrieve the grimoire and her notes on Ragnarok. When they were tucked in her bag she took a deep breath and picked up her bags finally making her way down the narrow stairwell.



****

"Nightmares become me

it's so fucking clear."

Eliot Smith, Christian Brothers



Faith was floating and it was kind of nice. Warm water all around her and the sun, she could feel the sun all over her. Seagulls flew overhead, she could hear them, but she wasn't ready to open her eyes yet. It was just…she needed a break. Just a little one.



There was movement very close, but she didn't flinch or even open her eyes to investigate. For a moment she was sure it was her gran with the sodas and the bologna sandwiches and relaxed even further into the warm sand, but the person moved and she could tell it wasn't gran and that she wasn't even at the beach. This person wasn't nearby, they were closer than that, they were inside somehow, but she wasn't worried. They were warm like the beach and gran, but she was beginning to realize that nothing else was.



"No," she heard herself mumble somewhere far away and began to remember the cold and the metal van and the straight jacket. "No," she just wanted to stay at the beach, but there was Dad suddenly with all of his anger and his fists curled up tight and she remembered and understood.



Wake the fuck up, girlfriend! Or you are gonna be very dead or worse.



Because there was the van and the Council, but also the doctor with the soft eyes and something was coming. She just had to wait and be ready, which meant saying good-bye to the beach and the soft warm world that wasn't hers anymore anyway. Just one tiny opening, that's all she needed. Just a little room for the Slayer to explode through.



She thought she saw her grandmother waving sadly from her broken down house, but she didn't wave back.





****

The leather seats of Giles' Citroen were hard and uncomfortable from the extreme cold, but Buffy tried to force herself as far as she could into the unforgiving stone of it hoping to avoid conversation. She needed to think this through and plan what to do when they actually got to the docks. If that was where Faith actually was. Tara said there was no way to be certain, but she had seen gulls and heard the sound of water and shipping instructions on the loudspeaker -- in Faith's head. That part still shocked the Slayer, that the shy blonde had willingly taken a trip to psycho central for her.



Talk about an amusement park ride to hell.



I guess I can see why Willow's such a fan…not that I'm a Tara fan the way Wil is. Or was.



She thought suddenly about the secretive smile she had seen and ignored on her best friend's face so many times in the past weeks and that wasn't somewhere she needed to be right now. It was almost go time and she needed to be prepared psychologically for…everything.



It was just…things had seemed so clear only a week ago. The world was Riley-shaped and the slaying was just something she did when she wasn't with him. And he was so comfortable. Normal. Simple.



Okay, so maybe clear isn't the right word for what things were. Maybe it was just…easy. And sort of Riley-foggy in a clear sort of way.



But she had wanted that so much, that simplicity. No damned souls to worry about, no room temperature boyfriend. Someone warm-blooded who could go to the beach and sun-bathe. Plus, there was the sex. And she still wanted that didn't she?



Looking up from the tattered floor of Giles' car her eyes caught Riley's in the rear-view mirror and looked away quickly hoping to avoid any further conversation and explanation right now. That could come later when they had Faith and stopped another apocalypse and were finally just Buffy and Riley again. She just hoped Tara and Anya could come up with something for her by the time they finished this little rescue. Tara seemed smart, but she was no substitute for Willow really. Her best friend would have made the answers appear out of sheer force of will. With a rueful half-smile, the Slayer forced her mind away from that narrow, guilt-ridden path back to Willow. Maybe Tara was right. Maybe her best friend would find a way to forgive her and she would do it all right next time. She wouldn't take her for granted ever again. Or Xander. She missed him. He would be telling ridiculous jokes right about now and not minding at all that she was ignoring him. He was predictable. Dependable. She knew what he was going to do in a fight, knew that he understood when to get out of the way and protect himself when things got bad.



So, she'd lost two of her key teammates in the last minutes of the game and here she was going to pick up a loose cannon with Riley and Giles. Not to mention that she was counting on a witch she barely knew and a tactless ex-demon with questionable intentions to find the solution to an apocalypse. At least, Tara had pretty much pulled a Willow back in the room, but she'd been obviously shaken by the results. Buffy had tried to get some explanation from the teary blonde, but Tara had just composed herself and calmly relayed a description of Faith's location. Well, what she thought was Faith's location. Even though Buffy was dying to know about the disturbing 'Daddy' thing and whatever else the blonde had seen. But Tara refused to answer her questions saying simply that it would be a betrayal of Faith's confidence. She knew if the situation was reversed she would hope that the blonde witch would show the same restraint, but still…knowing what made the Dark Slayer tick would be pretty helpful in about two minutes. Did she want Buffy dead? Was she planning some elaborate revenge she and the Mayor had cooked up as a Plan B?



The noisy old Citroen engine stopped and Buffy was drawn out of her musings by the watery sounds of a loudspeaker and seagulls whirling above. They sat there in silence for almost a minute until Riley shifted in his seat and she realized that she had to start this.



"Buffy I understand that you feel very strongly about this and I'm not doubting your intentions," Giles said evenly, his eyes firmly on the dark docks outside the windshield. "I just want you to consider the consequences. This…" he began and faltered, scowling down. "Faith has a very difficult road ahead of her. Not only is she in trouble with the Council, but she's wanted for murder."



"I know Giles," she mumbled and sank a bit more into the cold leather seat. "What do you want me to do? Desert her? Tried that once, remember? Didn't work so well."



"That's precisely what I'm trying to avoid," he said sharply and Buffy, shocked by his tone of voice, turned to face him. "If you really want to help her it is going to take a great deal of hard work and patience," his features softened and the Slayer relaxed slightly.



"I know patience…not really my strong point," she admitted after a few moments. "But I'm gonna…I have to. Those dreams...and she's a Slayer," she finished almost in a whisper and Giles just nodded.



"Okay, so what's the plan?" Riley interrupted from the back seat and Buffy turned in her seat to face them both and went immediately into Slayer mode.



"We don't want to hurt anybody, so no lethal force or anything, unless it's absolutely necessary." Riley nodded and Giles smiled.



"Buffy, I'd like to try to speak to them first," he said calmly, tucking his glasses carefully into a jacket pocket. "There may be no need for violence."



"Worth a shot," she said doubtfully. "But when there is the need for violence -- and I'm so hoping there will be -- I'm the only one who goes in that van with Faith. Understood??"



Both men nodded and Buffy took a deep breath. "Okay, let's do this."



They exited the creaky old car as quietly as possible and made their way around a tower of shipping containers. Behind them, parked near the water was an armored van not much different than the last armored van.



Shaking her head Buffy whispered, "Again? They'll never learn."



"Tara was correct," Giles said softly and she thought she saw a proud smile on the Watcher's face, but the sound of a thick British accent wiped it immediately.



"Rupert? Out for a stroll?" The accent stepped out of the darkness into the stream of light and Buffy could clearly see the round spectacles and tweed jacket.



"What? Is there a factory somewhere turning you guys out?" she asked incredulous as two much larger figures moved in the darkness behind him.



"Ah, and your ever-witty Slayer. Or should I say, ex-Slayer?" he said coolly and the Slayer rolled her eyes. She could feel Riley moving slightly behind her to position himself for an attack.



"Actually, still the Slayer. Unfortunately, it's not like a job at the mall. Can't be fired. Or quit. Believe me, I've tried," she said, but he remained silent, staring at her with that infuriating smirk. She gave him her cheeriest smile in return. "Although, I bet you'd look really 'smashing' in one of those Hotdog-On-A-Stick manager uniforms."



Giles smiled beside her and she rolled onto the balls of her feet, preparing herself for the coming fight. Because the way those two no-necked guys were standing, there was definitely going to be a fight.



"Nigel. I realize you're quite busy breaking several international laws at the moment." All hint of smile left the Council member's face as he stared down Giles. "So, I'll keep this short. We've come for Faith. You see, there's another apocalypse coming and we need all the Slayer resources we can possibly…"



"Slayer?" he sneered. "Ah, see, there's been a misunderstanding. We don't have a Slayer, just some runaway murderous whore who seems intent on, shall we say, delaying the arrival of the rightful Slayer." He crossed his arms smugly looking pointedly at Buffy. "Our Slayer."



The punch hit Mr. Tweed so fast and hard that even Buffy didn't see it coming.



"Go Giles," she muttered, launching herself at the larger of the two thugs. "A little warning next time though?" she said cheerily as an enormous arm swung past her head.



"I'll do my best," he groaned with the effort of blocking Nigel's blow, returning a body shot that doubled the Council member over on the pavement.



"And remember everybody," she said cheerily as her heel caught the Wet Works minion in the solar plexus, "Play nice." As the thick-necked guy bent over in pain she knocked him out with a well-placed blow to the back of the head. That left just the one guy between them and whatever was in the van with Faith. She looked up to find Riley standing over a crumpled heap nearby. Okay, no guys between them and the van.



An almost inaudible scraping behind her brought her around in time to block a blow.



"Okay, three more guys," she muttered as they moved to surround her. "Look, I don't want to hurt anybody. I just want what you've got in the pretty van."



All three simultaneously pulled weapons from hidden pockets and scabbards: two knives and a billy club. Well, at least there were no guns. She prepared herself for the attack, but a sudden cacophony of sound from the van stopped them all. It sounded like someone was shaking up a can of nails. Something or several somethings were hitting the walls of the van with great force. Then a long, loud yell.



Faith.



"I'll get her Buff," Riley said and she heard him take off toward the van as the two with the knives attacked.



"No, Riley!" she yelled, but it was lost as she dodged one knife, grabbing the wrist that held it in a crushing grip as she ducked to miss the swing of the other attacker. There was a loud scream as the second man's momentum carried his blade into the shoulder of the soldier she was holding.



"Hey, I said," she paused in her lecture to kick the now unarmed attacker six feet into the container wall. "…play nice!" she finished and checked to make sure the man she still held wasn't dead. The third man with the club had abandoned the fight to chase down Riley who was now climbing into the van. Giles was making his way toward the remaining thick-neck who was still wobbling from his collision with the wall, so she sprinted toward the van.



She caught the lumbering man within four steps and tackled him easily, regaining her feet with a casual roll. "Where you going?" she asked now wielding his club as he tried to regain his feet blinking against the light.



A loud yell behind her and she turned in one quick movement to watch a blur of army green sail out of the truck and hit the wall hard.



"Nobody listens to me," she muttered and raised the club quickly to knock out final thick-neck who had managed to regain his feet. "What did I tell you about getting in the van?" she lectured angrily as she walked over to her fallen boyfriend. His eyes fluttered several times before he slumped against the wall. "Oh God, Riley!" she kneeled beside him and found his pulse was strong and steady under her fingertips and she could see his breath in the frigid night air.



"It's okay Buffy," Giles said beside her, still out of breath. "I'll see to Riley. I think you should look after Faith." He motioned with his head to the door and patted her shoulder gently.



With a nod, she took a deep breath and walked deliberately toward the back of the armored van. The interior was dim, lit only by the streetlight, but she could see the limp and callused hand of what had to be another Wet Works mercenary.



"More like Damp Works," she mumbled with a smirk and realized she was still holding the club in her right hand. It took her only seconds to decide against carrying any sort of weapon into that truck. The club clattered noisily down the alley until she heard a faint splash. Inhaling the icy winter air deeply Buffy centered herself and climbed into the truck…and total ruin.



Two soldiers in black combat gear lay limp against each other and a thin, balding man in a lab coat huddled behind their bodies trembling in fear. Syringes, IV bags and medical supplies littered the floor and she felt her before she saw her. That spike in her Slayer senses that told her Faith and danger were near. She had felt it before they even left the car, she realized now, had felt it even at Giles' apartment, but mistaken it for fear and anticipation. She could have lead them here on her own.



When she saw the dark Slayer she gasped in surprise. A part of her had held onto that image of Faith in dark leather and lipstick, her nemesis in black lurking in the shadows waiting for a moment to strike, but the figure huddled against the far end of the van was the girl from the hospital, broken and battered.



Buffy climbed further into the van, the metal of the doors painfully cold to the touch of her bare hand. A brief glance told her that the soldiers were still breathing, which was definitely of the good. Even if it was surprising. Walking slowly toward the dark Slayer she held her hands palm up and winced at the sound of a syringe cracking under her boot.



"Stay the fuck back or I'll kill you all!" Faith yelled and Buffy realized that one of her eyes was swollen shut. "I'm a Slayer," she said, but her voice cracked. "I'm a fucking Slayer," Buffy barely heard her whisper.



"It's me," Buffy said stopping a safe distance from the dark Slayer. She could see her fully now, slumped against the back wall, bare legs bruised and bloody, A straight jacket held her arms behind her back and she could just make out broken leg irons hanging around her ankles. Her usually perfect hair was matted around her face and she was shivering violently.



"B?" Faith croaked and Buffy thought she saw a small smile. "Come to finish the job?"



"You mean there's something to finish," she said and immediately regretted it, but the dark Slayer actually smiled.



"You coulda just sen' a card," she said finally in a scratchy voice. "Or, y'know, flowers."



There was a moment of dead silence and the two of them began chuckling simultaneously. The blonde took a step forward and knelt carefully in front of the broken girl who recoiled immediately.



"S'okay. Really." Buffy extended her palms again to show that she had no weapon. Pushing dark, wet hair out of the girl's face, Buffy winced at the amount of damage the Slayer had endured. The anger and fury of their last encounter flashed in her mind for a moment. She had wanted to cause Faith so much pain. This. She had wanted this, she realized with terrible guilt. "Why did they…?" she began, but trailed off.



"Somethin' 'n m-my hand," Faith murmured, her words beginning to slur. "They wan'd it…"



A dozen terrible scenarios went through Buffy's mind: a knife, a grenade, some doomsday device. Maybe the Mayor's minions had managed to sneak something to his favorite at the last moment. She realized that she had two choices: take it by force or…



"What is it?" she asked gently, more than a little worried that Faith would just sneer and laugh and use whatever it was to kill them all, but the dark Slayer just shook her head and shrugged wincing at the movement.



"S'funny thing, B, I don' e'en fuckin' know."



Buffy shook her head slightly. This didn't make any sense. Faith had taken a beating for some mystery item in her own hand and somehow fought off two armed attackers without the use of her arms. Okay, maybe it did make some sense. But the slurring was disturbing.



"Did they drug you?" she asked carefully and Faith nodded with a smile more like a leer.



"A lot." She finally managed and winced again as she tried to move in the straight jacket. "Prolly enough for th' whole class if you're in'eres'ed," she said and Buffy shook her head and smiled. Faith drugged and beaten couldn't resist being a smartass.



"Okay, I'm gonna get you out of this thing," she said gently and reached slowly toward the buckles on the heavy cloth of the straight jacket pulled painfully tight around the Slayer. How could she even breath in that, Buffy wondered, growing more and more angry at the Council. As her fingers fumbled with the icy metal, she noticed a knife nearby and briefly considered using it to cut Faith free, but that brought her to the confrontation on the roof. With a shudder she continued working the buckles, finally freeing the dark Slayer who simply went limp and groaned as the tight material pulled away.



Buffy backed up slowly and helped her lean back against the wall. Her arms were still behind her back and she watched Faith struggle to bring her right hand to the front, flexing her fingers one by one.



"Fuck tha' hur's," she mumbled again, her eyes rolling back in her head.



Buffy reached forward quickly to catch her as she collapsed forward into unconsciousness.



"Faith?" she asked worriedly, but the slim body in her arms straightened again, falling back to the wall. Buffy steadied her with with both hands.



"Finally got me where ya' wan' me, huh, B?" she smirked, raising her eyebrows and Buffy rolled her eyes. "Some good shit ya got there doc," she said loudly, before the blonde could retort and Buffy heard the doctor whimper in fear behind her. Faith used her right arm to pull her limp left arm onto her lap. The fingers were clenched tightly around something, her knuckles white with the effort and the blonde took a deep breath. This was the moment of truth. Either Faith was really drugged and beaten or this was all an act and she was about to find out the hard way what the Slayer's revenge would be.



Buffy looked up to meet the dark eyes she'd dreamed about for the past five nights and a strong shiver ran through her. The dreams, she had to remember the dreams. They had brought her to the chaos of this armored truck so far from her friends in the freezing cold. She had been so sure that they were telling her something. That this dark-eyed girl was meant to be a part of her future whether she liked it or not.



"What is it?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly and Faith blinked slowly, still fighting the effects of the drug.



The dark Slayer shrugged again and closed her eyes. "Mus' be somethin' impor'n 'cause I can' even open my own damn fist," she said and laughed a short painful laugh before slumping against the wall again.



"Faith?" she asked, but got no response. Carefully, she covered the Slayer's cold, clenched fingers with her own and was surprised when they relaxed slightly, slowly, as if she was warming them into movement with her own body heat. After almost a minute of the two of them sitting there in silence, Faith's hand fell open and Buffy gently removed her own hand to see what the Slayer had been holding onto with such fierce determination.



She recognized the black tube of lip gloss in Faith's palm instantly and swallowed hard, tears welling in her eyes. All of this pain for something she'd done as an afterthought five nights ago in that cramped hospital room. As gently as she could, Buffy closed Faith's fingers around the harmless cylinder and sniffed.



"Buffy," Giles' voice was gentle, but concerned as he called to her from outside the van. "Riley's awake and I think perhaps we should get to safety before they come round."



Nodding, she wiped clumsily at the tears on her cheeks and cleared her throat. "Yep, we're coming." Closing her eyes slowly she took a deep breath and opened them to find Faith still asleep, her mouth open slightly. "Faith," she took the Slayer's shoulder gently and her eyes opened slightly. "I'm gonna pick you up okay?"



"You could at leas' buy me dinner firs'," Faith winked at her before closing her eyes again and Buffy shook her head at the typical innuendo. She had walked right into that one.



With one last glance to make sure the two soldiers were still out, Buffy turned back to Faith to find her studying her with a strange intensity. She felt the soft brush of fingers on her cheek and gasped at the surprising contact. Holding herself as still as possible she raised her eyes to meet Faith's who smiled slightly, a faraway look in her eyes, as they sat there in silence for several seconds. Finally the dark eyes closed and she felt the hand drop away.



Still reeling from the powerful moment with the dark Slayer, she sat there for several more moments studying the face before her for some sort of sign, but there was nothing, just the slight fog of her breath with each exhale. Cradling Faith gently she raised her effortlessly into her arms and felt her shiver against her. Her legs and arms were bare and she was still wearing only a hospital gown in the near-zero cold.



Walking over the debris, Buffy carried the broken Slayer to the back of the van and jumped down onto the dock. "I need your coat, Giles," she said and noticed that the Watcher was supporting a still dazed-looking Riley.



"Dear lord," Giles said as he took in Faith's condition, immediately stripping off his jacket and carefully tucking it around Faith. Buffy could see the muscles in his jaw clenching in anger as he averted his eyes and braced Riley. "You did the right thing, Buffy."



"I hope so," she whispered and looked down at the Slayer's face, swollen and bruised but peaceful in sleep. She realized that Faith's lips were chapped again and her fist was tightly curled around that tube of lip gloss she now clutched to her chest. With another deep inhale she settled the Slayer more comfortably in her arms and followed the two limping men back into the cold night.

Edited by: lipkandy at: 2/1/04 4:16 pm

[tinnakaren]

Powerful stuff Mel, really.



You know, I've pictured that scenerio with Willow quite a few times, ever since she ran out of Giles's apartment...but it still hurt to read about it.



Wonderful update.

--------------------------

Tinna Karen

-tölvunörd í fyrsta ættlið

[Puff]

Oh that was wonderful. First of all poor Willow, I really hope that when the rational side of her brain kicks in about what she learnt about Tara then she'll be able to forgive her. Until then isolating herself from the scoobies was painful to read, I am glad she took the photo's though.



I loved the Buffy and Faith moment. It's going to be an interesting journey between the two of them. I am glad that Faith is safe now though although it might take a while for her to believe that.



Thank you for the update it was so very good.

---

So, the day started and I knew my name and had my pants on. So far, so good. Yay.
Amber Benson

[Tempest Duer]

Wow, what a fantastic update. It was sad to read about Willow there in her room, sad, miserable and angry and wanting to leave, but... she won't be able to. She's Willow, and more than just the reliable dog-geyser-person that she seems to think.



And they've got Faith. I'm interested in whatever the hell she's got in her hand. But I'm also interested in how her relationship with Buffy will develop, now that she's entirely at Buffy's mercy due to the drugs and stuff. She's not going to be happy about it.



Great job, as usual.

Willow: Hey Buff. One more thing. Buffy: Yeah? Willow: I’m gay. Buffy: Okay, Will. Xander owes me ten bucks.

~Remember to Breathe by Yellow Crayon

[TemperedCynic]

Willow is making a mistake - we know it, her friends will know it when they find out and, secretly, Willow knows this too. But she has to do this right now. What she will find remains to be seen. I enjoyed the Faith rescue immensely. It's always good to have Buffy see Faith as something other than her adversary. And maybe see more? I look forward to see where you take Faith's character. Tara continues to impress - telling the Scoobys everything they needed to save Faith, and refusing to spill everything. The dynamic between Faith and Tara just got way more interesting, as I'm sure Faith will be interested to talk with Tara after their shared experience.

---

More than any other time in history, mankind faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly. Woody Allen (1935 - )

[JewWitch18]

Quote:

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"Why is it so hard for me to just be mad? I mean, Buffy deserves it! All self-righteous and commander-y and who the hell does she think she is? This isn't the Buffy the Vampire Slayer show!"

---

...now that's an instant classic. shazayum! first the pats take the superbowl-- again! and then a TF update. sundays don't get much better than that-- thank you mel!



I really loved how this section flowed; you handled some very tricky, transitional moments for each of the characters that were really pivotal-- willow deciding to leave town, while it's obviously not what we want to see, is something so crucial, something it's hard to imagine willow even considering...but to be able to get to that point, where she actually has it in her to make a decision like that, to just leave a life that's not meeting her needs-- that is the pivotal moment where the choice is returned to her; when she can then make a conscious choice to stay. that might not've made a whole lot of sense, but you get me, right? the S4 willow we know had her inner judges turned up so high, telling herself so sternly how she ought to feel and behave, that she never really got in touch with the reality of her anger, never got to process it. if you can't admit you're angry, if you can't let not forgiving even be an option, then you can never really choose to forgive. I was relating to willow a lot in this section.





and the faith & buffy section, break my heart why don't you? I really loved buffy's moment of truth, her total acceptance of faith and the situation, when she understood that she was taking a leap of, you know, faith. knowing that she didn't know one way or the other, whether this was going to turn out OK, or if faith was setting her up again. that moment of total acceptance of the uncertainty, I think is going to be so important to buffy from here on out. letting go of control, not exactly buffy's forte. I feel like you've set the stage for what I wanted to see in S3 after the slayers' (notice my deliberate use of the plural!) accidental slaying of allan finch. namely, buffy being able to really be there for faith, be open to faith the same way she asked faith to be open to her. for them to heal each other, be real with each other. the tenderness of those moments with the lip gloss was just intense...guess it all makes even more sense now, how loaded that lipgloss in buffy's pocket was at the end of TFs7!



wonderful update, mel. can't wait to see what's next!



affectionately,

--JW

Willow: Spirit of Sappho, I summon you. Come fill me with your big, dykey power!

--Final Exam by Tommo

Edited by: JewWitch18 at: 2/2/04 1:03 am

[snuggle79]

Hiya!



Pretty intense stuff! wow! I really loved the interaction between Buffy and Faith. Buffy really did the right thing. And i'm all curious now to see how things are going to be between those two.



Im so sad about Willow. Yeah sure, she thinks she has been doing the right thing by leaving everyone behind, but i'm pretty sure she will regret it soon. She couldnt even leave her spellbooks and important notes about ragnarok in her dorm room, so...that gives me hope for now.



Awesome update!



snuggle79

This is how everyday should end and start ..and all the stuff in the middle

The greatest thing you'll learn, is just to love and be loved in return.

[xita]

You could so tell Willow didn't want to leave.. I hope she changes her mind. I hope she pays attention to that little voice in her head that's trying to tell her Tara had asked for time to figure things out. She's just so confused, she's mad at the scoobies and not just for faith, and she's upset because she thinks she can't trust Tara, or that Tara doesn't trust her. It's all too much for Willow. sigh, thanks for the update

- - - - - - - - - - -
"Hard work often pays off after time but laziness always pays off now!"

[Big Dummy]

Echoing all kitten sentiments here. That was definitely slackjaw-worthy.

Quote:

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All the way to the dorm, even as angry as she was, she had harbored a secret hope that someone would come after her, but no one had.

---

How much I identified with Willow here. That whole scene was so true to how we (people) tend to react to things like this. When we're angry, and feel wronged, we really want someone to come after and say," Hey, sorry, I know what you mean." even if not to say that they were wrong, at least to acknowledge the validity of what you're feeling. And y'know, I don't think Willow is wrong. She was hurt by Faith as much as anyone, even more so on an emotional level (if we're following canon here), so it's not a breeze to go off to rescue her just because Buffy says so. It brings back the struggle in Season Sux; don't kill people, and try not to let them be killed. Even if they've done terrible evil.



So, I'm excited to see where Willow's self-imposed exile will lead her. We've seen that an angry, betrayed-feeling Willow is not someone to be taken lightly. She's always been such an easy mark for evil in that way. Wherever you take this, I'm sure the ride will be awesome.

[justin]

That was a great update



You have really managed to bring the characters to life very well.



Both the parts with Willow and the part with Buffy finding Faith were very moving. Especially with Buffy finding the chapstick.



I'm looking forward to reading more

Postel's Prescription: Be generous in what you accept, rigorous in what you emit.

[Kieli]

First, I must extend my deepest apologies. I've been a fan of your work straight through and I've not even had the courtesy to tell you so. Bad Toni. Secondly, excellent job! I'm hanging on every word and have been for three stories now. Wonderfully done.



Cheers!

T.

Time flies by when the Devil drives.
It's not the pace of life that concerns me, it's the sudden stop at the end.

[lipkandy]

Wow! once again I'm overwhelmed by the Kitten generosity. I was worried about this update bc of the lack of Tara and the high percentage of B/F so I'm glad it was relatively well-recieved. I do want to make it clear that this is really a Willow/Tara story and as unlikely as it might seem right now, they're going to be the heros in this one.



so, I'll try to reply to the feedback although I'm all crankypants today.



tinnakaren thanks and yes, I know Willow's POV is definitely of the hurt at this point, but she really did need her moment of defiance. but now worries, she will have her fairy tale moment soon enough.



puff thanks. yes, Willow's rational brain is on hiatus at the moment, but she needs to finally get honest with herself on an emotional level. I think her feelings of betrayal regarding Tara are coming more from her personal experience (Xander, Oz, even Buffy) not from actual Tarafact, but she's the smartypants so all will be well soon.



tempestduer hey and yes, I get all sad writing hurt-y Willow. she's one of those characters (like Tara) you want to protect.

Quote:

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She's Willow, and more than just the reliable dog-geyser-person that she seems to think.

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definitely, but i'm hoping she learns that 'reliable' doesn't mean inferior. she's intelligent, powerful and gorgeous, it's about time she come into her own.

and Faith at Buffy's mercy?? heh. Faith's snickering over my shoulder at that.



temperedcynic wow, that's some densely astute feedback. I'm not sure I can even reply to it all without going on for pages

but, yes, Willow had to do this even if she's not entirely happy with it.

Quote:

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It's always good to have Buffy see Faith as something other than her adversary.

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I really struggled with that scene bc I didn't want it to be too soft (the drugs helped soften Faith up a bit), but I kept thinking of that scene at the end of S3 after B wakes up from her Faith dream and kisses her on the forehead. the kind of emotion and tenderness she could never show her when she was conscious.

and I'm glad you picked up on Tara's refusal to share Faith's secrets. she would consider it unethical to say the least.



jewwitch you mean the superbowl was yesterday? I'm feeling so stupid right now, I'm sure I'm not going to do justice to your insightful feedback, but I'll try.

I'm glad the Willow part worked, I almost left it out entirely, but you're right she needs to learn to be angry instead of bottling it up (which would have been a much better trigger for DMW anyway). and she deserved her moment. buffy got to leave and give it all up and she's the chosen one. at some point when you're Willow Rosenburg, wonder girl, you've got to question why you're still letting the twinkie boss you around. especially when it becomes more and more obvious that some of B's decisions aren't exactly on the mark.

or maybe it's just my way of saying, "Nobody puts Willow in a corner."

and I was thinking of you the whole time I was writing that B/F scene - -trying to stay true to Faith's anger and Buffy's rightful guardedness and still having them connect in some way. and that lip gloss



snuggle hey! glad the B/F and don't worry about Willow. she just needs to realize her own worth, but she could never really leave the Scoobies...not to mention Tara



xita I know, poor Willow. but I think we've all been there, feeling betrayed and abandoned by the people closest to us, but she will definitely come around. and she might even have some help from a certain blonde



bigdummy

Quote:

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When we're angry, and feel wronged, we really want someone to come after and say," Hey, sorry, I know what you mean." even if not to say that they were wrong, at least to acknowledge the validity of what you're feeling.

---

exactly! that's what Willow is really looking for...for her friends to finally see her pain and acknowledge the problems. they will, it's just going to take some time. I know this may sound strange, but when ME put Willow through pain it alwas felt to me like it was simply for ratings or as a prop/plot twist for another character (Buffy) and I want to make sure that when I do it it's because Willow's going to end up in a much better place at the end of it -- stronger psychologically and emotionally.

and I agree wholeheartedly that Willow wasn't wrong. As much as I like Faith, she has a lot to answer for. and so does Buffy.

as for where Willow will end up...saving the world and getting the girl if I have my way



justin thanks! I'm glad it all worked. it's hard to find that balance sometimes so it's good to know it's working on some level.



kieli no apologies necessary, I'm just glad you're liking and finally posting. and I have to admit I read and enjoyed Come Away with Me and I don't think I ever found the courage to post feedback either. so...it's a mutual admiration moment.



thanks again everyone!!



xomel

Edited by: lipkandy at: 2/2/04 4:47 pm

[Tempest Duer]

Hey, does that mean that Faith is in the room with you? No fair! I'm going to pout now.

Willow: Hey Buff. One more thing. Buffy: Yeah? Willow: I’m gay. Buffy: Okay, Will. Xander owes me ten bucks.

~Remember to Breathe by Yellow Crayon

[JustSkipIt]

Well, I certainly can’t complain about the wait for an update with how rare my updates are these days but I will say that I was very excited to see this part posted. Wonderful and very powerfully and emotionally written.



Willow:         You capture her hurt so well. When I read that part, that’s exactly what I thought: that it would really hurt her that no one chased her when she left Giles’s apartment. But it’s great that she also realized that there was a reason that they didn’t chase her: that there’s always another apocalypse. And of course her hurt at what she perceives as Tara and Buffy’s betrayals is palatable. But I’m so glad that she did realize that Tara did say she needed time to work something out and that this was it. Her love and need for Tara is overwhelming in everything she does. And the fact that she went back for the book and her notes is so telling…



Buffy/Faith:        Again, very powerfully written. I love your portrayal of Faith’s pain. She’s like a wounded animal and Buffy is just so compassionate and sensitive. She amazes me throughout her taking care of Faith the way that she is so caring toward the girl. And sorry to say that I never saw that kind of compassion or sensitivity from the Buffy in the show. It’s definitely love but not necessarily the

Quote:

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locked in a kiss that would have killed another human

---

kind, just plain love.



Well done.



PS:        I wrote this a few hours ago and accidentally erased it as I finished. Grrr!



PPS:        Well, now I feel inspired to post an update of my own.

---

"Your little will can't do anything. It takes Great Determination. Great Determination doesn't mean just you making an effort. It means the whole universe is behind you and with you - the birds, trees, sky, moon, and ten directions." - Katagiri Roshi

[Kieli]

Quote:

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kieli no apologies necessary, I'm just glad you're liking and finally posting. and I have to admit I read and enjoyed Come Away with Me and I don't think I ever found the courage to post feedback either. so...it's a mutual admiration moment.

---

Colour me blushing and not just from the prospect at another update Hope to see more from you soon.



Cheers!

Toni

Time flies by when the Devil drives.
It's not the pace of life that concerns me, it's the sudden stop at the end.

[TexanZeppo256]

Okay, this post is going to be less of a brilliant and intellectual appraisal of your beautiful story and more of a fluffy "you rock!" feedback, but considering that I have to leave for class in about 10 minutes, it'll have to do.



Lipkandy: I believe that I said earlier that I didn't think that this was an actual continuation of the Tempus Fugit series because of the lack of a time travel thingy(?) I was sooooooooo wrong. Please forgive me?



Your quality in writing, your style, your power with emotions, they're all shining brilliantly in this third instalment of the Flying Time series.



I can't wait to read more! Well, obviously I can wait, but I don't wanna!



I'll post a slightly more thoughtful post later on after class.



Bye!!!



---Ryan

---------------------------------



There she is! There she is... Ahh... Not so wounded as we were led to believe... So much the better. --Khan, "Star Trek II: WOK"



From The Land of Tolerance,

---The Texan Zeppo

[Big Dummy]

Quote:

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I know this may sound strange, but when ME put Willow through pain it alwas felt to me like it was simply for ratings or as a prop/plot twist for another character (Buffy)

---

Not strange at all. I've felt the same way. I think that's why her story arcs always rang hollow, as if there was something missing. It's because there was. She went through difficulty solely for the purpose of another character's development. I like that here, at last, Willow will be going through changes and pain for her own personal development, and not to add a temporary dimension to someone else.

[salandar3]

Hi, I don't post much but thought I'd drop a line to tell you how much I've enjoyed your story. I especially like the way you've explored relationship between Tara and Faith. As other kittens have mentioned, there are a lot of underlying parallels between the two characters. Think about it--once there were two bright, sensitive little girls, both brutalized by their families. One turned her pain inward, the other acted out--and there but for the grace of the gods, so to speak. Perhaps if Faith had had one person to love and support her as a child, as Tara had her mother, she would have turned out differently. And while I know from reading TF7 that it is Buffy who will show Faith the true meaning of love, I think that it is Tara who can make her believe she is worthy of it. Thanks for the lovely fic, hope to see more soon.



Wendy

"Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing." Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird

[lipkandy]

tempestduerFaith is always with me *evil grin* although she's more like that assertive bad girl voice in my head.



justskiptit hey! it's funny, I was so unhappy with the willow section, but witchpunk made me post it so I guess I should thank her. yeah, I think she has so many issues to work through, but at least she's actually starting to do it instead of being all avoid-y.

as for Faith being a wounded animal exactly! I had such a problem with canon on this one because the idea that anyone, even a Slayer could bounce out of bed after 8 months in a coma is beyond ludicrous. I know it's a TV show, but come on!! I had a friend who was in a coma for a month, no head injuries and he was in physical therapy for a year after he woke up, not to mention SERIOUS psychological issues. and I'm glad the love came through. I think it's definitely baby steps for these two. anyone who's hoping for them to just jump in the sack is gonna be sorely disappointed with this fic.

phew! you always get me going in a good way!!

and I have to admit I've been saving Paths Diverged. It's like this treat I've been hoarding for a really rainy day when I have LOTS of time.



Kieli ack!! more pretty things to read! I'm never going to get anything done *shaking head*.



te hey sweetie. I'm glad this isn't a disappointment.

Quote:

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Your quality in writing, your style, your power with emotions, they're all shining brilliantly in this third instalment of the Flying Time series.

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heh. now I'm all blushing.



bigdummy

Quote:

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I think that's why her story arcs always rang hollow, as if there was something missing. It's because there was. She went through difficulty solely for the purpose of another character's development.

---

I'm right there with you on Willow's character. then again, when the writers did finally find the time to focus on her and develop her story line it was a complete debacle. they managed to ruin my fav character of all time, something I didn't think was possible.





salandar hey! I love the delurking, it makes my day er...week. and yes, I'm right there with you on Tara and Faith. yet another fascinating dynamic ME chose not to explore. Tara really is the only 'scooby' if you can even call her that, who could accept Faith for what she is or at least give her a chance....as long as she doesn't ever, EVER try to hurt Willow again I mean, if you think DMW is scary, Protective Tara is earth-shattering.

Quote:

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And while I know from reading TF7 that it is Buffy who will show Faith the true meaning of love, I think that it is Tara who can make her believe she is worthy of it.

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heh. my attorney tells me that I shouldn't comment



thanks again to all the kittens for the lovely feedback. you all rock! but you know that.

Edited by: lipkandy at: 2/4/04 2:12 pm

[TemperedCynic]

Regarding Buffy and Faith:

Quote:

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I think it's definitely baby steps for these two. anyone who's hoping for them to just jump in the sack is gonna be sorely disappointed with this fic.

---

I am such a sucker for a good old-fashioned love story - the kind that takes irs time and develops people and situations. Nope, no disappointment here nope, nuh uh.....

---

More than any other time in history, mankind faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly. Woody Allen (1935 - )

[JewWitch18]

...I second that sentiment. these two need to be takin' they sweet time...we've seen how poorly their rash actions have turned out in the past, and the real process of building trust is a long one...I should know, right? anyway, we already knew this wasn't gonna be a hop-in-the-sack story for, well, anyone, but especiaslly for buffy & faith, cause they're just really getting into that part of their relationship in the S7 world of TF, to which this is a prequel (arguably also a sequel, but yunno-- it takes place earlier in the chronology).



so...no dissapointment here. not for lack of sack-hopping, anyway. just as long as there's plenty of those long, intense gazes, and of course w/t I will be happy!



luv,

JW

Willow: Spirit of Sappho, I summon you. Come fill me with your big, dykey power!

--Final Exam by Tommo