Ok kitties, *deep breath*, here I go. This is my first posting of a fic so please excuse and posting screw ups and text entanglements. Enjoy.
Title: Reunited
Rating: PG
Couples: W/T
Spoilers: Oh yeah, right up to Gone. If you're trying to stay clean then flee! Flee now!
Notes: Willow and Tara are the main focus of this story, however I tried to write it as I thought it might play out on the show (Pffff! Listen to me. As if this piece of crud will ever even remotely resemble the brilliant plot twists Josh has planned for us this season) so all main characters have their scenes. Think of it as a W/T centric episode with all those annoying filler scenes revolving around the other, less important characters, as sandwich breaks.
Archiving: Umm, ok. But asked first.
Feedback: Sure. Take special care to point out all the plot holes and dumbass mistakes. Although I think Rane has saved me from most of the impending embarrassment.
Copyright: In the fantasy world in which I spend most of my time BTVS, all its characters, spin-offs, comic books, animated series, merchandise, etc, are mine all mine. But in the real world, a place I rarely visit, they belong to some guy called Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.
Summary: I am way too long-winded to sum up this story in a few lines.
Thanks: I humbly bow to my magnificent beta reader Rane, without whom this story would certainly never have been written, let alone posted. Oh great Weevil Faerie Otter Princess I know you and Ruth share a miraculous love but, marry me?
*********
Part 1:
"Now that's just gross"
The vampires' head snapped up and turned in the direction of the voice, its latest meal dropping to the floor of the alley. Blood dripped off its teeth onto its chin.
"I mean look at you. Where in gods name did you get that shirt? And ribbed jeans? You can't be serious." Buffy took a casual step forward, shaking her head. "You'd think living forever would give you time to read Vogue once in while"
The vampire turned fully towards Buffy and let out a low growl.
"And a book of comebacks would be worth the time too." Buffy slowly slid a stake out from her jacket sleeve. "Can we get this over with? I'm gonna be late."
The vampire lunged at her but she sidestepped easily, ramming her elbow into the vamps back as it flew by. It recovered quickly though, ducking below Buffy's next swing and sweeping her off her feet with its leg. As it lunged again Buffy rolled to the left, then swiftly brought her stake down into the vampires back and through its heart, producing a swirling cloud of dust.
Buffy got to her feet, shaking the dust out of her hair. "They really need to start making a shampoo for this." She looked over in the direction of the vamps victim and was surprised to see the girl dizzily trying to stand.
"You ok?" Buffy asked dispassionately as she slipped her stake back up her sleeve.
"I think so. Feeling a bit woozy" The girl leaned back against the wall for support.
"Well woozy is better than dead. And walking alone in dark alleys, not really the best "get home safe plan" I've seen."
"IÉ your right. My name's Jane. Thank you for saving me. " The girl looked close to tears as she pushed herself of the wall and extended her hand to Buffy.
Buffy glanced at the hand offered but didn't take it. "It's what I have to do. You should get home now."
Jane awkwardly withdrew her hand. "Right. Well thanks again." She said, smiling weakly as she made her way past Buffy to the alleys entrance.
Buffy watched her walk by, suddenly feeling more than a little guilty. Well that was worthy of the Queen C Hall of Fame for general bitchiness. "Hey." Buffy called out to her. "Wait up. I'll walk you home."
******
After Buffy had walked Jane home she started towards the Magic Box, taking a shortcut through one of Sunnydales many cemeteries. 'I'm going to be dreadfully late for the Scooby meeting she thought. Dreadfully, god, that sounds like something Giles would say, or would have said if he hadn't left.'
She missed him, but not like she thought she should. When he had first told her he was planning to leave she had felt something. Anger, fear, and sadness. But even then those feelings were dull. Buffered somehow. Like she was seeing someone else expressing them and was merely remembering what the sensations had once felt like. And now? Now there was just the dullness. It filled her. Buffy was so caught up in her thoughts she didn't see the vampire lurking in the shadows of the crypt she was approaching. It readied itself for attack.
She new she was being distant, knew she was neglecting things. The old Buffy wouldn't have let Giles leave, wouldn't have given him reason to. She wouldn't have left Dawn alone all night to do other things. She wouldn't have let Willow fall so far. Her face darkened at that thought. Willow. God I still can't believe what has happen. I can't believe she would get involved with someone like Rack and endanger Dawn like that. I should have seen it. Everyone else did. She's my best friend and I let her down.
A surge of anger, more than she'd felt in a while, erupted within her and her fist lashed out to strike a nearby gravestone, shattering it. The vampire, who'd been just about to jump out from his hiding spot, suddenly decided he wasn't as hungry as he'd thought and scampered of into the darkness, stomach rumbling.
"Well, well. Someone's certainly got a lot of pent up energy this evening." Spike stepped out from the shadow, head tilted slightly to one side, his face wearing his patented smart-ass grin. "I've got just the activity to burn it of."
Buffy turned around, directing her best slayer death stare squarely at Spike. "I really don't have time for you right now Spike. It's already been a long night and I'm late for a meeting."
Spike put his hand to his chest and feigned shock. "What? And I wasn't invited?" Spike's grin widen. "Afraid if we're in the same room together your friends might sense all that animal lust between us?"
Buffy stepped towards Spike. "We don't have animal lust between us. We don't even have rock lust. There is no lust of any kind." To emphasize her point she jabbed his chest with her finger.
"Just can't keep your hands of me can you."
Fuming, Buffy opened her mouth to blast Spike with another verbal volley but was interrupted by the sound of glass shattering. "It came from over there," Spike said as both he and Buffy started running towards the noise.
Buffy was first to reach the crypt. The door was open, hanging awkwardly from one hinge, the stain glass pane in the upper half broken. Just as she was entering the crypt two demons came rushing out. The first one ran straight into her, the force of the collision flinging Buffy backwards. She landed hard but was immediately on her feet. Spike tackled the other demon, rolling with it between the headstones, trying to avoid its long claws.
Buffy squared of against the other, sizing up her opponent. It was short but wide, 'Definitely rugby player material' she thought, with three horns protruding from the top of its head. It reminded her of a rhino. 'Except for the extra horn, the claws, and the fact that it walked upright. Oh, and the green scaly skin. Ok maybe it's not like a rhino. And what is it with demons and green skin? Is it like the demon worlds skin color of choice?
Buffy's musings were cut short as the demon charged towards her. As it came forward she grabbed its horns and used the leverage to flip over its head, landing on her feet behind it. She quickly delivered a hard kick to the middle of its back, sending it sprawling, face first into the ground. Buffy shifted into a defensive stance waiting for the creatures next move.
Which was to get up and run away.
"Well that was unsatisfying," quipped Buffy dryly as she watched the demon scamper off.
"Hey! Come back here ya big baby. Big Bad hasn't finished kicking your scaly green ass!" Spike yelled as he picked himself up of the ground and straightened his long leather jacket. Buffy turned to look at Spike, rolling her eyes at his words. She started towards the crypt, intent on discovering what the demons had found so interesting about it, when a red sparkle from the ground caught her eye. She walked over to the spot, bent down and pick up the object. It was a silver chain, thin and beautiful, with what appeared to be a ruby the size of a quarter dangling from it.
"What you got there slayer?"
"I don't know. The demon must have dropped it."
"Looks broken"
It did indeed. One side of the ruby was smooth and round, but the other was jagged. Both Buffy and Spike searched the surrounding ground and the inside of the crypt but couldn't find the other piece.
"Maybe it was already broken." Buffy mused out loud to herself.
"Maybe. But why someone would go to all this trouble for an old, broken necklace I can't figure."
"Well no one's going to accuse you of being one of the great deducers of our time Spike."
Buffy paused, realizing that she hadn't actually made any progress in getting to the Magic Box. "And why am I still here talking to you?" With that she turned and walked off.
"Yeah, well. When was the last time you looked in a dictionary! Like deducers even a real word!" Spike shouted at Buffy's retreating form. "So you'll stop by later then?!" he queried hopefully. When he got no response Spike turned and headed back to his crypt. "Deduce, decucer, deducers. Bloody hell!" he mumbled to himself.
*****
Willow sat nervously at the research table in the Magic Box. She glanced at the clock on the wall. Buffy was late. Quite late actually. Going on 30 minutes late. But that wasn't why Willow was nervous. Buffy could take care of herself. She was almost always late for Scooby meetings. Vampires and demons seemed to all have the annoying habit of showing up as Buffy was making her way to a meeting. Slaying inevitably ensued, which inevitably resulted in a late slayer. Nope, that wasn't why she was nervous.
What was making her nervous was sitting directly across the table from her.
Tara glanced up when she felt Willows eyes on her. Willow quickly diverted her attention to her open laptop and began surfing the net with a zeal she didn't feel. Tara returned her gaze to the open book in front of her. But she wasn't reading it. Hadn't been reading it since she'd opened it 20 minute ago. The conversation Xander and Anya were having filtered in and out and she occasionally remembered to supply the required hmmm or uhhn. But if asked later what they were talking about she wouldn't have had a clue. She was way to busy discretely watching Willow.
'God she looks so weak.' thought Tara. Her gaze fell on Willows hand as it steered the computer mouse around the mouse pad. 'Willowhand' she thought, a smile briefly gracing her lips. But then it faded as she realized how thin that hand had become. Willow had lost a lot of weight and her skin was much too pale for Tara's liking. Buffy had filled Tara in on her struggles to get Willow to eat regularly. It had been touch and go for a while but Slayer resolve apparently surpassed even slayer strength and finally Willow was eating a well balanced diet.
Yes, the gang had been keeping her well informed. After the incident with Dawn, Willow had been in no shape to attend and help out at Scooby meetings so Tara had taken up the witchy slack. At each meeting, after the important monster things had been dealt with, Tara would get a full report on Willow from everyone. Except Dawn. She still wasn't speaking to Willow and refused to discuss her with anyone, including Tara.
Buffy was seemingly indifferent. She supplied a detailed report of what Willow had been up to at home but it was always delivered in a voice void of emotion, making it difficult to tell what she really though of the situation. Xander was upset and angry, well as angry as he could ever be at Willow. And Anya. she was just being Anya. She refused to let Willow enter the Magic Box without someone to constantly supervise her. She was surprisingly (most of all to Tara) upset over Tara's departure and took every opportunity to tell Willow as much, pointing out more than once whose fault it was. Tara wasn't sure she should feel touched by Anya's concern for her or guilty for being the cause of Anya's wrath towards Willow.
No, no more guilt. I don't have anything to feel guilty about. The blonde thought.
Still, it seemed like Willow was making progress. She had, on occasion, taken a step back and cast a spell without even thinking. But what had been encouraging was that even when this occurred without witnesses, Willow had come forward and admitted it.
Tara snuck another peek at Willow. The laptop's mouse was still, Willows hand resting atop it, and although she was staring at the screen it was obvious that she wasn't really looking at it. A smile flittered across her face but was quickly replaced by a frown. Tara wondered what she was thinking.
'I don't know if I can stand this thought Willow. For her to be so close but not to be able to touch her. Gods, she looks so beautiful. It's like I haven't seen her in years. Ok so it's only been a few weeks but those were weeks without Tara, and a Taraless week feels like a year, or longer. Definitely longer. I wish.' Self-loathing suddenly washed through Willow. 'She shouldn't see me like this. All weak and,.. and useless. Maybe I shouldn't have come. They can do it without me. Their better of with Tara anyway. They can trust her. I should go.'
Willow looked at Tara then towards the door, planning her escape. But her eyes were reluctant to be deprived of the sight of Tara and her gaze shifted once again to rest on the blond. It had been worth it, all these nerves, just to see Tara again, in the flesh. 'And what beautiful flesh it is. No. I don't have any right to think those thoughts, not anymore. Not after what I did to her.'
"I think maybe I should go" Willow said as she clicked shut her laptop. Tara looked up from her book but Willow suddenly found a spot on the floor near her chair very interesting and wouldn't meet her eye.
Xander looked up from the wedding magazine he'd been forced to browse. "But we haven't had the meeting yet Will. I'm sure Buffy will be here any minute"
"I just think you've got things covered with Tara here so-" Willow was interrupted by the sound of the shop bell ringing and turned to see Buffy striding through the door.
"Hey Buff." Xander said as he and Anya moved from the counter and took their seats around the table. "Judging from the fine sheen of particles covering you I'd say your late either because you stopped to stake some vamps or you finally started using that sander I got you last Christmas."
Buffy smirked at Xander. "No woodworking fun for me. Just a vamp and some demons. Ohh but I did score some jewelry." She held out the necklace for all to see.
"Pretty!" Anya quickly seized the necklace from Buffy. "Rubies go so well with my complexion. I chose this as my wedding gift." Anya's eyes swept the group. "You are all aware of the traditional giving of gifts to a married couple on their wedding day aren't you?"
"Yes Anya, we're all familiar with that particular tradition." Buffy snatched back the necklace, rolling her eyes. "Unfortunately I've already got you something."
"But you kept the receipt right? Stores allow you to return unwanted gifts."
Buffy chose to ignore Anya's last remark. She removed her jacket and sat down. "A couple of demons were trying to pilfer it from a crypt but Spike and I interrupted them."
A look of irritation crossed Xander's face. "Ahh, our Miss Clairol reject. It must have made your day to run into him," he said sarcastically.
"No!" Buffy shouted, quickly realizing she'd said that way to loud. "I mean, no it really. sucked." She ended lamely. A moment of silence passed between the group as quizzical glances were exchanged.
Buffy quickly changed the subject. "It was the vermicelli crypt?"
Willow's brow furrowed. "Like the pasta?"
"No, wait. That's not right. It was Venii. Yeah that was it." Buffy took a step towards the table, holding out the necklace. "Any ideas Tara?"
Willow, who had been extending her hand expecting to take the necklace, jerked it back like it had been burned. She quickly looked down at the tabletop. No one seemed to have notice, except for Tara. A wave of guilt swept over her and she looked at Willow, a mixture of concern and sadness in her eyes. But when Willow didn't look up she turned her attention back to the necklace.
"I don't know. It could be a charm of some type. Or an amulet." She examined it more closely. "It looks broken."
"Yeah, it was like that when I found it. Couldn't find the other piece though," Buffy offered. "What about Venii. Mean anything to you?"
"No. I guess we should start-"
"It's Etruscan."
All eyes turned to Willow. "What?" Tara asked her softly.
"The word. It's Etruscan I think." Willows voice was barely a whisper as she brought her head up to look into Tara's eyes. She pointed at the closest bookcase. "Try some of the texts on the top shelf to the left. I think they deal with Etruscan stuff." Willow's gaze flittered nervously over the group and then returned to Tara. "Not magical stuff. Other stuff of the non-magical variety. The magic stuff is on another shelf." Willow's voice became even smaller as she continued. "Those books are on the back case, third shelf."
Willow continued to look directly at Tara. It was the first time they'd really looked at each other since they'd arrived. Tara could see the sorrow and guilt in Willow's green eyes. The intensity of it threatened to wash her away. She was suddenly overwhelmed by the need to take the redhead in her arms and return that special Willow sparkle to those green eyes. To help her forget everything that had happened. Forget.
A slight jolt went through Tara and she blinked, breaking eye contact with Willow. 'No. There will be no more forgetting.'
"Ok" Buffy said slowly. "Thanks Will." Noticing an increase in the tension Buffy glanced at the clock. "Look it's kind of late. Dawn will be back form Melinda's soon and I still have to sweep the other part of town. This doesn't seem like world ending stuff so let's call it a night and meet tomorrow sometime."
"Yes let's do that." Anya rose from the table, moving to stand by Tara who still held the necklace. She extended her hand. "I'll take good care of the necklace tonight."
Buffy took the necklace from Tara and walked towards the counter. "Thank you Anya but I think it's best if we leave it in the safe for tonight."
"But I need to take it home." whined Anya. "Xander and I were going to play rich Duchess and pool boy tonight and that would really go with my costume."
"Right! Well! We should lock up the back. See you tomorrow then." Xander squeaked as he grabbed Anya and fled into the back.
The slayer smirked at Xander's embarrassment as she placed the necklace in the safe behind the counter. When finished she turned towards Willow. "You ready Will?"
"Oh, it's ok Buffy. I can get home by myself. You go patrol" Willow asserted as she started packing away her laptop.
Buffy glanced at Tara, and then looked back at Willow. "Well actually I forgot Mr. Pointy at home so I wouldn't mind swinging by to pick it up," she said lightly as she stealthily pushed Mr. Pointy further up her sleeve. "You know, lucky stake and all. And maybe we could grab a late night mocha on the way." Buffy smile, hoping Willow would buy it. Willow had been doing well but there was still a lot of uncertainty with respect to her control over not using magic. The last thing they needed was Willow going of by herself, unsupervised, and getting into a situation were she had to use magic.
Willow wasn't fooled. "I'm perfectly capable of defending myself without magic. I did just fine before I knew how to use it" There was an edge to her voice, a challenge.
Tara quickly stepped in front of Buffy. "Actually Buffy, I can walk her home. It's on my way so it makes sense really. Besides I can stop and say hello to Dawn." Buffy looked in surprise at Tara. She hadn't been expecting the offer. Truth be told Tara hadn't expected it either. It had kind of just popped out.
After a moment Buffy shrugged. "Works for me. See you at home Will." Buffy grabbed her jacket from the back of the chair and quickly exited the shop. Tara took in a deep breath and slowly turned to face Willow.
"I'll grab a cross and stake just in case. You ready?" Tara asked, keeping her tone neutral, as she went to the trunk in the corner and retrieved the weapons.
"You don't have to you know," said Willow softly.
With her back still to Willow, Tara inquired, "I don't have to what?"
"Walk me home. Be nice to me."
Tara closed the trunk and then walked back to the table in silence, stopping to grab her bag from underneath her chair. Then she turned and headed for the door. "Coming?"
Willow didn't move. She had wanted Tara to say something, anything, but it hadn't happened. This was the first time that she'd been alone with Tara in almost a month. She wasn't going to let this opportunity slip by. She needed Tara to know how sorry she was. That she knew how wrong she'd been.
"I know what I've done to you is beyond forgiveness, and I know there's no way I can ever make it up to you. But I want you to know that doesn't mean I won't spend the rest of my life trying."
Tara paused, her hand on the doorknob. Willow drew in a deep breath and then plunged ahead. "You're my life Tara, even if I can't be yours. I love you." Silence fell over the room. Willow held her breath. Tara closed her eyes as a single tear fell down her face.
"We should get going." She whispered. Without another word she opened the door and stepped out into the night. Willow sadly followed.
As they walked away from the Magic Box each of them was too wrapped up in their personal pain to notice someone standing in the shadows. Watching.
Part 2:
Amy reluctantly stepped through the invisible barrier and into Racks' lair. Her hands shook. She couldn't be sure the involuntary tremors rocking her hands were more from her need for one of Racks "spells" or out of fear for the anger she knew Rack would unleash at her for coming here alone. Without Willow. Rack had been downright obsessed with Willow since that first night. And when she had failed to return, well he had wigged. And it hadn't been fun. He had demanded that Amy bring her back.
But she'd tried. Really she had. She'd been trying for over three weeks with no success. Only once had Amy even managed to speak to Willow. She'd met her on campus two weeks ago but had only been able to get a few words of her prepared speech out before Buffy had appeared out of nowhere and told her to get lost.
Amy glanced around, giving herself a moment to build up the courage to walk into Rack's room. Her eyes paused briefly on the room's only other occupant. The girl was huddled up at the end of the couch. Her body rocked back and forth slightly, her eyes never straying from the door to Rack's inner room. Amy folded her arms around her waist to still her shaking limbs. 'Who does Buffy think she is anyway? All bossy and no fun. I'm mean really, just because she's the slayer doesn't give her the right to control Willow like that!' thought Amy.
Amy couldn't understand the sudden animosity towards her or why everyone was coming down so hard on Willow for using magic. It just didn't make sense. Magic made life easier. Couldn't they see that? And based on some of the things Willow had told her about the happenings on the Hellmouth while she'd be a rodent, Willows magic had saved the day more than once. So why couldn't she have some fun once in a while. Ok, so the accident had been a bad thing, but no one had been killed. And Dawn would be ok. Besides, Willow had been trying to save Dawn from a demon. Where would they have been without Willow's magic?
This was all highly confusing. But what stumped her the most, what she really just couldn't figure out no matter how hard she tried, was why Willow was letting them dictate what she could and could not do; why she was letting them control her. Actually that wasn't true anymore. She had been stumped. But not now. Not after what she'd seen tonight. No, know she was pretty sure she new what the problem was.
Suddenly the door to the inner room open. Amy barely had time to register Rack's presence before he grabbed her and pulled her close, his breath hot on her cheek.
"Where is she?" he snarled, his grip tightening.
Amy fought against the rising bile in her throat and squeaked out a response.
"I couldn't get her alone. They never leave her alone."
Thin lines of red energy crackled in Racks eyes and a smile that sent shivers through Amy crept across his face. " So your telling me you failed"
"No! I... I have information. I mean, I think I know what the problem is now, why Willow isn't doing magic anymore."
Amy gulped in some air and looked nervously at Rack. His eyebrow arched and Amy took that as an indication she should continue.
" It's the girl, the blond. Tara. I mean it's all of them really but especially her. She's the reason Willow's giving up magic. She left Willow because she thought she used too much magik and now Willow's trying to get her back. It's all her fault."
Racks hostile eyes bore into Amy. "Gee Amy, that's a revelation. I was at a total loss before. Who would have guessed that her friends were trying to take her away from me. I don't know what I'd do without you," mocked Rack coldly.
"But" Amy's words were lost in her scream as a bolt of energy went through her. She crumpled to the floor. Rack bent down and lifted her up by the neck. " You don't understand do you, " he growled. " This isn't just about you getting your next "spell". It isn't just about me. It's bigger than that. And if you think her little blond plaything is going to stand in my way your wrong. I won't have you screwing it up. I'm finished leaving things to the amateurs." Rack released his hold on Amy, letting her slump to the floor. He turned towards the girl on the couch. "I believe you were next." He grinned evilly.
"But what about me?" Amy weakly asked, struggling to stand.
Rack looked back at Amy and smiled. He reached down and lifted Amy up until their eyes met.
"Oh you still have your uses," he said as he pressed his palm against her chest. Amy smiled, lost in ecstasy as magik coursed through her veins.
*****
Willow carefully placed the artifact back on the lab bench and stretched. She glanced at the clock. 'Wow. Ten o'clock already. I wonder how the meetings going. I wonder if Tara's there.' she thought. 'Of course she's there. They need her to do the stuff you used to do for them.' Willow's brow furrowed. 'You could have gone. You could be there right now, in the same room as Tara. But you told then no.'
She had wanted to go. But the last meeting had been so horrible that she'd declined when Buffy had asked her. The memory of Buffy looking to Tara for help rather than to her was still fresh in her mind and brought tears to her eyes. It wasn't that she had turned to Tara that was so upsetting. Actually that had filled her with pride. The Scoobys were finally getting to see the confident, knowledgeable, wonderful woman that Willow had always seen. The one that had been hidden behind long blond hair and a stutter until Willow had helped draw her out. Willow smiled. 'I helped. She said I did. Well, sang it.'
No. The fact that Buffy had turned to Tara wasn't the problem. It was that she had turned from Willow. Her best friend didn't trust her anymore and Willow simply couldn't stand being in a situation that would constantly remind her of that. So here she was. Working. But that was ok, because she actually enjoyed the work. That and it kept her mind of other things.
Once she had felt up to facing the outside world again Willow had thrown herself back into her studies. She had accepted an offer from one of her favorite professors to assist in the lab analysis of archaeological artifacts for extra credit. He had been impressed by her extensive knowledge of ancient cultures and languages. 'At least there's some benefit to living on a Hellmouth' mused Willow.
The rest of her life was in a shambles and an ever-increasing part of her believed that she would never be able to rebuild it. But even though everything else had changed, this, her ability to learn and study, to absorb knowledge better than anyone else she knew, to be, well a nerd, had remained the same. A snort of laughter escaped from Willow. 'And that was the one thing I wanted to change most about myself. I'd call that fairly ironic.'
It had been two days since that Scooby meeting. Two days since she'd seen Tara. The walk home had been sweet torture. No words were exchanged between them after they'd departed from the Magic Box but Tara's pain had been palpable to Willow. To know that she was its cause was almost more than Willow could stand. But despite all the pain it had brought her, being in Tara's presence had stilled something deep within her. It had silenced the whispering voices that continuously called out for her to use magic. It had brought her peace, even if it was just for a little while.
The sound of the door opening startled Willow and she jumped slightly in her seat.
" Oh, Willow. I was just on my way out and saw the light. I didn't think you'd still be here. If you keep this up I'll have to start paying you more."
"Hi Professor Sands. I just wanted to finish up with these pieces." smiled Willow.
"Well ok. As long as you promise to go do something impulsive and foolish when your done." jested the professor as he watched Willow put away the last of the artifacts.
"Oh, I'm kinda topped up on impulsive and foolish things for the year. Maybe longer", Willow said as she reached for her bag. "But something responsible and grownup, that I can do. Way under my quota there."
Professor Sands let out a chuckle. "Actually I'm glad I caught you. I was going to track you down tomorrow but it looks like your work ethic has saved me the trouble. Come on, I'll explain on the way out" he said as he held the door wide to allow Willow passage through it. They walked in silence for a few moments, Willow looking down at the floor, her head still filled with the thoughts she'd been having before Professor Sands had arrived.
"Is everything all right Willow?" Professor Sands asked.
Willow, brought back to earth by his words, looked up at him and smiled weakly "Yeah. I'm fine. What did you want to talk to me about? Is there something wrong with one of my analysis? Cause I'm trying to be very careful but if there's something wrong I wouldn't mind redoing it. I could do it tonight if you."
"Willow. There's nothing wrong with the work you've done. Actually it's quite exceptional. I have graduate students who could learn a thing or two from you."
"Oh. Thank you. So what do you want to talk to me about?"
"Well, for the past several months now I've been waiting on permission to start a dig in Cyprus. It finally came yesterday so my graduate students and I will be leaving in a week."
"Oh that's great! Congratulations" said Willow. "Do you want me to take care of the lab while your gone?"
"Actually I'd like you to come"
Willow stopped walking and looked over at Professor Sands. "You want me to go to Cyprus? The Cyprus that's not located in the state of California. Not that there is a place called Cyprus in California. I'm pretty sure there isn't. But I mean, Cyprus? That's definitely out of the state and I've never been out of the state. And, and Cyprus is an island. I've never been on an island either. What if I got seasick? Not by being on the island but, you know if we took a boat to it or something. I know people don't get seasick from standing on islands. Although I used to know this guy who'd get seasick standing on a wharf, which always made me wonder why he'd stand on them if he knew-"
"Willow, calm down." Professor Sands chuckled. " You're exceptionally bright Willow and have been a huge help in the lab. And this would be a great opportunity for you. Undergrads rarely get to experience this type of hands on training. I can arrange it with the university so that you would receive equivalent credit for the classes you'd miss. You'd still graduate as scheduled."
"I... I don't know. I mean it's really nice of you but there's. I'm needed." Willow paused. Was she needed? Did Tara need her? She wasn't so sure anymore. They hadn't needed her at the meeting. She shook her head slightly, trying to clear the fog that was swirling around in her mind. "How... how long would I be gone?" Willow finally managed to ask.
" Well six months at least. That could be extended though, if you wanted to stay longer" Professor Sands placed his hand on Willow's shoulder. "Look. I know this is a lot to think about all of a sudden. I'm not sure what your personal life is like and maybe it makes it impossible for you to go. And that's fine. But please, take a couple of days to think about it. Then let me know."
So many thought were racing through her head that all she could manage in reply was an quiet "Ok"
"Well this is my turnoff. Think about my offer and be careful walking to the bus. Good night Willow." He said as he walked of in the direction of the parking lot.
Willows' mind was whirling with thoughts as she approached the bus stop and sat down on the bench to wait. Three buses passed her by before she rose to catch one, still uncertain what her future held.
*****
"I'm bored" complained Dawn as she closed the book in front of her.
"Don't complain" said Buffy as she glanced up from her book. "You wanted to come and help with the research".
"No. I wanted to come and look at the necklace but Anya's been hogging it all evening." Dawn glared at Anya, who promptly stuck out her tongue and gripped the necklace even tighter.
"Buffy said I was in charge of protecting the necklace while it was out of the safe" defended Anya. " And I let your eyeballs caress it for 3 whole minutes early. I mean really, don't be greedy." She looked over at Xander and continued. " If all children are this selfish I don't want any" she stated. Xander suddenly found the description of Etruscan death rituals he was reading quite intriguing.
" I am not a child!" yelled Dawn. "And I'm not greedy either! Buffy." Dawn looked over at her sister for support but Buffy merely shrugged " I did say she could protect the necklace" 'Even if it was just to shut her up' thought Buffy.
"Wow, you've really got the supportive sibling role down pat haven't you" Dawn said sarcastically. "You might want to read the manual again"
" Anya, why don't you let Dawn hold the necklace? Just for a bit" Tara softly asked from her seat at the table.
"But... " Anya started, but then made the mistake of looking at Tara who had on her best "I understand, you're right, but please do this for me" face and she crumbled. "Fine." She handed the necklace to Dawn. "But if you break it"
"It's already broken. Take a pill," said Dawn smugly as she looked at the ruby in her hand.
"Ugg" sighed Xander as he closed his book. "We're getting nowhere. My brain just went on strike. I can't read anymore about these Crustacean guys"
"Etruscan" corrected Tara.
"Whatever. Let's face it. We suck. The books don't like us. We need Willow"
At that name Tara quickly looked down at the table, and the room fell quiet. Dawn frowned, handing the necklace back to Anya and walked over to sit at the counter.
Xander looked apologetically at Tara. "Sorry Tara"
She looked up, regaining her composure. "No, it's ok Xander. You have a point."
Surprised that anyone would think he had a point Xander carefully continued. "It's just, I know that things are crazy right now but Willow does this research thing better than any of us. I mean come on, she was trained by Mr. "I'm a Stuffy British Guy and Research is my Life" himself. They weren't hold up in his apartment all last summer talking about girls you know." Xander paused and looked around the table, waiting for a response. None came. " I know none of us really trust her right now but our Willow is still in there somewhere. And the truth is we need her."
"Xander's right" Tara inhaled a breath and continued. " We do need her" 'I need her' she thought. " And I think we should try to include her as much as possible."
"Yeah we could do like a mini patrol or something. You know, just a quick loop of a cemetery or two. Low on danger, high on togetherness." interjected Xander.
" But she wouldn't come to the meeting. She spends almost all of her time at the lab," said Buffy, speaking up for the first time. "I mean, I agree with you Tara but if she doesn't want to come I don't think we should force her".
"M-maybe she'd come if I w-wasn't here," said Tara, her stutter effectively shattering her attempt at appearing in control.
"No!" Anya shouted." I only get to see you at the meetings. You are not going anywhere!"
Suddenly feeling uncomfortable with her emotional outburst Anya quickly added. "Besides, we need you to do all the witchy stuff."
Tara smiled at Anya.
"Ok" said Xander slowly, still rather stunned at Anya's display of affection for Tara. " So what's the plan"?
Glances were exchanged but no plans were forthcoming.
"She'd come if Tara asked her" came the reply from the counter. All eyes turned to look at Dawn, who quietly continued. " She'd do anything for Tara, we all know it. So if you want her to come it has to be Tara who asks her."
A sad smile appeared on Tara's face. "She's right" After a small pause she looked at the rest of the group. " I'll do it"
*****
"So what your saying is that you've failed" A voice whispered from the shadows. Lit by only two candles, the room was nearly engulfed in darkness, making it difficult to tell how big, or small, it really was. A large domed glass skylight arched above the center of the room, allowing moonlight to strike the cold stone floor on clear nights. But tonight clouds obscured the waxing moon, diminishing the already scarce illumination.
"No. I just need a little more time. I'll have the witch soon. I promise" Rack said as he nervously stepped further into the still room, his steps echoing of the walls. He looked around him, trying to determine from which shadow the voice had emanated.
A humorless chuckle echoed around the room. "Mr. Rack, you shouldn't make promises you can't keep."
Rack spun around, still trying to locate the source of the voice. It was a game. One that he had yet to win. He'd lost count of how many times he'd been here, delivering yet another witch. And each time he'd been met with a voice, nothing more. It was friendly, soothing even, and that just made it all the more disturbing. The voice sounded male, but Rack doubted it belonged to a human.
"I'm not. I can get her. And believe me she's worth the wait. The power she has, it's like getting ten witches in one."
"Forget about her. Concentrate on bringing me the last of the witches I need. I'm running out of time and patience Mr. Rack"
Rack was becoming agitated. "Look. I've done everything you've asked. Brought you all those witches once I was done playin. But this one, she skipped out on me before I was finished. No one leaves me like that" Racks voice became more menacing as he continued. "I've got a score to settle and I don't care if it interferes with your precious little schedule. Understand?"
"Temper, temper Mr. Rack. Don't you know what happens to people who can't control their temper?"
"What?" spat Rack.
"Oh, they die horribly from strangulation"
At those words a long tongue shot out from the shadows, winding itself tightly around Racks neck. Rack struggled in vain as its grip tightened and he was lifted off the ground.
" But I can do this" Rack sputtered as less and less oxygen reached his lungs. " I just. have to get her away from her friends and. slayer."
Just as quickly as the tongue had been deployed it was withdraw. Rack dropped to his knees, gasping for breath.
"The Slayer? The witch is friends with the Slayer?"
Rack, still rubbing his neck rose to his feet. "Yeah. What's so important about that?"
Again there was a chuckle from the shadows. But this time it continued to develop into a full laugh. "Why I believe it must be your lucky day Mr. Rack. It seems that our interests might be more compatible than I originally thought."
"How's that?" Rack inquired skeptically.
"The Slayer, she has something of mine. Took it without asking, really very rude. I would like it back. You'll get it for me. Feel free to continue playing with your little witch in the meantime but two days from now, at the full moon, you'll bring her, or seven other witches to me. Bring me what I ask and you'll get what we agreed upon. Fail me again and the result will be somewhat unpleasant, for you."
Rack stared into the darkness opening his mouth to reply but then thought better of it. "Whatever" mumbled Rack as he headed for the door. "Just as long as I get some quality time with Strawberry."
Had Rack looked back he would have seen a hooded figure immerge from the shadows, its long black robe sweeping along the floor. It's hood fell back to reveal a small aging man with black eyes.
"Thanks for stopping by." grinned Doc.
Part 3
Willow shoved some books into her bag and slipped the strap over her head. She stood still for a second, mentally taking inventory of the bags contents to ensure she hadn't forgotten anything. Oh. Where's my pen. I won't get any work done without it.' Willow glanced around the bedroom in search of her missing pen.
The pen had been a joke between her and Tara. They had seen it one day while out browsing through the shops on Main. St. It was one of those pens that had a little troll with flyaway hair stuck on one end. The one that had caught Tara's eye had red hair. Tara had laughed, whispering to Willow that the state of its hair reminded her of Willow in the mornings after a particularly fiery night of passion. Willow had blushed at least 4 different shades of red and Tara, seeing long term teasing potential, had bought it immediately.
Willow smiled sadly. It had been just a silly joke between them but now it was one of the few connections she had to Tara and their life together. Mentally she gave herself a shake 'Get it together Rosenberg. Just get to work.'
Willow didn't see the pen lying around her room anywhere. She went to the desk to check the top drawer, but it was stuck and wouldn't open. 'Stupid drawer! I've really got to get Xander to fix it.' She yanked and yanked but the drawer wouldn't budge. Summoning all of her non-slayer strength she gave it one last try.
The drawer and its contents flew into the air. Willow fell backwards onto the floor, the corner of the drawer catching her in the forehead.
"Ow!" yelled Willow. She winced as she brought her hand up to touch her forehead. She could feel a trickle of blood running down the side of her face. "Well this day's off to a great start" she grumbled. She looked at the debris around her, spotting the pen. 'At least I found it' she thought.
As she reached for the pen her eyes fell across another object lying nearby, causing her to still her arm mid reach. She blinked several times before her brain allowed her to detour her hand and retrieve the object. She stared down at the dolls eye crystal resting on her palm.
Tears formed in her eyes and then rushed in a flood down her cheeks. Time stopped and the room became still. "Tara" Willow whispered.
A knock on the front door and time resumed its flow.
Willow wiped her eyes on the back of her sleeve and stood dizzily, placing the crystal on top of the desk. The blood on her face forgotten, she slowly made her way downstairs to the front door and opened it.
"Tara" said a stunned Willow.
"Willow! God what happened?" Tara cried as she saw the blood trickling down Willow's face. She rushed to the redhead's side, reaching out her hand to examine the wound.
"What? Oh, right. It's nothing Tara. I just had a little accident."
"But you're bleeding." Tara gently placed one hand on Willow's cheek as she used the other to hold back the red hair from the cut. " It doesn't look too deep but we should clean it".
Willow was in heaven. Tara's hand on her cheek was sending shivers of pleasure and happiness through her whole body. Only Tara's touch could do this to her and she closed her eyes as she savored the sensations.
"Willow?"
"Hmmm?" murmured Willow as she opened her green eyes to find concern filled blue ones staring back at her.
"I need to clean this for you. Are you ok?"
" I am now" Willow sighed happily.
The hand on her cheek was quickly withdrawn and Willow realized too late that it had been a mistake to say those words.
"Tara I'm sorry. I didn't mean I mean, you know me, my foot practically lives in my mouth and now I've got bumpy head, which, you know, makes you say things that you shouldn't and"
Tara placed a finger across Willows lips to silence her babble. "Willow. Lets go upstairs and clean you up."
Despite Willows assurances that she was fine Tara kept a firm grip on Willow's elbow as they climbed the stairs.
"Sit on the bed while I go get the first aid kit" directed Tara.
"But-"
"Willow. Sit" Tara ordered as she headed for the bathroom, glancing briefly at the mess that still littered the floor.
Once in the bathroom Tara rummaged beneath the sink for the kit. Finding it she placed it on the counter and paused, taking a deep breath while she looked at herself in the mirror.
This was not going as planned. It had seemed so simple in her head. Just stop by. Come in but don't sit down. Ask Willow to come patrolling with the gang and then leave. Yeah right. Of course how could she have known Willow would answer the door like that, all bloody. Tara's heart clenched at the thought. She couldn't just leave her like that. 'I have to take care of her. She's my Willow. Or, she was my Willow.'
Willow lay back on her bed, eyes closed, patiently waiting for Tara to return. 'Tara's in the next room. She's here, helping me. She doesn't have to but she is. Maybe she still loves me. Why would she be here if she didn't. Unless she just feels sorry for me.' Willow frowned at that thought. 'No. This is good. I can work with this. I can fix it. Fix it in the non-magical way that is.'
Unbidden a small tremor took over her hands. It didn't happen as often anymore but occasionally, at night or when stressed, her control would sometimes falter and the tremors return. She hated them. Willow closed her eyes as she concentrated, trying to get them under control.
Tara stood in the doorway watching Willow, noticing her trembling hands. When the shaking lessened she crossed the room to the bed and sat next to Willow. "Ok, let's check out that cut" said Tara as she sat down on the bed and opened the kit.
Willow quickly opened her eyes "Oh, I didn't hear you come back in"
"Well you do have bumpy head" Tara smiled as she started to clean the cut. "Now stay still."
"It wasn't the bumpy. I've got a lot of thoughts running around up here," she said, pointing to her head.
"I guess some things never change" Tara dabbed some disinfectant on Willow's forehead, causing her to wince at the sting.
"Ow."
Tara's face crinkled in sympathy. "Sorry" Without thinking she bent forward and planted a kiss on Willow's forehead. The closeness this act created pulled her in and instead of pulling back she rested her forehead against Willows, careful of her injury.
Precious moments passed, eyes drifted shut in contentment.
"Tara?" whispered Willow.
"Hmmm?"
"Why did you come here?"
Tara pulled back, breaking their connection, suddenly remembering her reason for coming, suddenly remembering everything. Willow caught the change in Tara's body language and her heart sunk. She hadn't meant to make her uncomfortable but that seemed to be the only thing she did do lately whenever she was around Tara.
"Oh. Umm, the gang wants you to come help with some research. Maybe do a group patrol after" she said as she rose from the bed, putting some distance between her and Willow.
"Do you want me to come?" asked Willow. She knew she was pushing her luck but she couldn't help it.
Tara's face took on a pained expression as she looked at Willow. "Will don't. I just can't do this. Not know. Maybe not ever." The last part was said in a whisper but Willow caught it.
Willow got up from the bed, tears forming in her eyes. "Tara I'm sorry. Just just tell me if there's even a possibility, no matter how small, that I can make things right between us again. Like the way they used to be." pleaded Willow.
"I honestly don't know Willow. I'm not sure anything can ever be the same again. But I do know that your not going to get things back to the way they were with me or with anyone by isolating yourself from us." Tara paused, her face softening. "Please, come to the Magic Box tonight, help out."
Willow smiled sadly at Tara. "You know I can't refuse you anything. And so do they."
Tara smiled as she thought about what Dawn had said earlier. "See you tonight" she said before exiting the room.
******
Willow had been researching for less than an hour when she announced she had found the demons Buffy and Spike had fought against.
"Willow Rosenberg ladies and uh me. How does she do it?" joked Xander.
"It's all in the reading", replied Willow dryly.
"Ahhh. See that's the part that always stumps me". The two friends share a smile.
Willow was already feeling better than she thought she would about the meeting. Things had gone smoothly so far. And although Willow suspected the others were reading slower than usual to give her a chance to be the first to discover the important things that was ok. Well, maybe Xander wasn't doing that. He was a slow reader on a good day. But still, it gave her warm fuzzy feelings and she hadn't had those in a while.
They were trying and Willow loved them for it.
"So what's the demony lowdown Will" Buffy asked, thankful for an excuse to close her book. 'Who would have thought reading slowly would be such hard work' she mused as she looked at up Willow.
"Their called Sub'ordii demons. They aren't really that high up in the demon food chain. Not of the big thinking variety. Mainly other demons use them for muscle n' stuff. Thus the "sub" part of their name."
"Wow. A Demon name that actually makes sense. That's a first," quipped Buffy.
"So, some other demon hired them to break into the tomb and get the necklace", offered Tara from across the table. "I guess that means we're dealing with a demon that is of the big thinking variety." Willow smiled at Tara's use of her words and when Tara returned it the redhead's lips stretched into a full-blown grin.
"But what about the name of the crypt? We looked for hours yesterday and didn't come up with anything" interjected Xander, ending Tara and Willows smile fest.
Willowbrow furrowed in concentration for a moment then became smooth as an idea came to her. "What if the word isn't exactly Etruscan?"
"What! After we spent all those aforementioned hours reading about the seafood guys and" Xander stopped as Buffy and Tara shot him looks. "I mean that would be ok. because I really learned a lot." He finished, laughing nervously.
"I don't mean it like that", said Willow." I think it's still Etruscan but not. You know?"
"Oh, I get it" Tara said, realizing what Willow was saying.
"Ummm, could you maybe break that down for those of us who don't speak Willow?" said Buffy.
"Honey", called Anya from the counter where she was helping a customer. "Could you help me carry this customer's order up from the basement?'
"Sure thing An. If you ladies will excuse me, my muscles and I are needed", he said standing up and flexing his arm muscles as he approached Anya.
"Should we wait for him to come back?" asked Tara.
"Nah. No sense risking strain on anymore of his muscles" said Buffy as she turned from the manly show. "You do know I meant brain muscles, right?" She quickly added. A head nodding assured her Tara did. "So. Translation please."
Willow was already deeply immersed in her search for information on the web so Tara explained. "I think she meant that the root of the word is Etruscan. It's just been changed a bit. Ancient people sometime used their place of origin as their last name."
"You mean like, Buffy of Hellmouth?"
Tara smiled "Exactly. Eventually they started to just change the word around a bit." Tara, seeing an opportunity, continued excitedly. "So like, instead of Buffy of Hellmouth it would be Buffy Hellmoo."
Buffy arched an eyebrow skeptically.
"Or something like that" Tara ended quietly. 'One day', she vowed, 'I'm going to nail Scooby humour.'
"Got it," exclaimed Willow. "Venii comes from the Etruscan word Veii. It was one of their major cities until it was destroyed by the Romans."
"It there any mention of the necklace?" inquired Tara.
"No. But now that we know what we're looking for we should be able to get more information out of the books" said Willow, already reaching for several volumes.
"More books? Shouldn't we be getting to the patrol portion of this evenings fun? Please?" pleaded Xander as came up behind Buffy.
"Yes. I am ready to close the cash register on another prosperous day" Anya cheerfully added as she hung the 'closed' sign in the front window.
"Yeah, I'm gonna side with Xander on this one. Lets get to it" Buffy said as she rose from her chair and went to grab a stake from the weapons trunk.
As the rest of the Scooby gang readied themselves for patrolling, grabbing jackets, bags, swords, crossbows and stakes Willow held back. She wasn't really crazy about the whole patrolling idea. To be honest she wasn't sure she was ready. After Tara had left the house that morning she'd had a minor setback. She'd cast. The last word of a general clean up spell to take care of the spilled contents of the drawer had been out of her lips before she'd caught herself. She'd cried for two hours before she could compose herself enough to come out of her room. She had wanted to tell someone what had happened but things were going so well. Still, it was eating her up inside and she knew she'd have to come clean soon.
"Maybe I should stay. You know, do more of the research thing", she said.
Tara approached Willow, a look of understanding on her face. "It's ok you know, if your not ready. If you can't control it then maybe you should stay," she said softly but firmly. Looking into Willow's eyes she could see the uncertainty there. 'Maybe this wasn't such a good idea' she thought. 'I don't think she's ready for this. What if she uses magic? She's doing so well.'
"Tara's right, Willow. It's no big. We can come back and pick you up afterwards if you want." Buffy added, trying to be supportive.
Willow looked at them both, unsure of what to do. She wasn't sure she should go but she didn't think she should stay either. If she stayed it meant admitting that she wasn't in control. And she wanted so much to show Tara that she was. How was she going to win her back if she always took the easy way out and never tested herself? Besides Tara would be there with her and that had always given her more strength than she'd ever had on her own. So with more courage than she felt Willow replied "Actually I think I will come. The research can wait. Hand me a sword. I'm ready to kick some demon butt."
"Easy tiger. It's been awhile you know," said Buffy as they exited the shop. "Maybe you should start with some poking, perhaps a little prodding. Work your way back up to kicking."
Part 4
Things started out well. Willows initial trepidation about patrolling began to evaporate as the familiarity of the old routine washed over her. Tara walked ahead of the redhead with Buffy and Anya, the three of them chatting softly. At first Willow had been a little disappointed that Tara hadn't chosen to walk with her but then she'd reminded herself that she had no right to be disappointed. She'd lost that right the moment she'd cast the spell on Tara. Despite the occasional smile and kind word, Willow could tell that Tara was far from forgiving or trusting her. 'Really,' she thought, 'I should be thankful to even be here, walking behind her. Which is probably more than I deserve, what with the view and all.' She smiled at this last thought while her eyes took in the sight before her.
"Uh, Will. Drool really isn't a good look for you. Very dribbly." chided Xander from beside her as he shifted his crossbow to his other hand.
"Huh? Oh, I was just thinking" Willow said, trying unsuccessfully to cover.
"We both have the same view here Will and it's not very conducive to heavy thinking. Heavy breathing maybe but-"
"Excuse me, but are you checking out Tara's butt?" demanded Willow. "Cause if you are I may have to draw it to the attention of a certain ex-demon." She pointed at Anya with her sword.
"No! I mean I was looking at Anya, but then there was Tara, and Buff not that I was comparing or anything, cause. their all very. Hey, look!" Xander chuckled nervously, and shot ahead of the group. "A gravestone!"
Everyone except Willow gave him a puzzled look.
"Yeah, a gravestone in a graveyard. What are the odds", said Buffy sarcastically. Further mocking was cut short by a large headstone flying over Buffy's head, narrowly missing the Slayer.
The group swung round to see three Sub'ordii demons rushing at them. They were quicker than their size would have indicated and one plowed into Buffy before she could get out of its way. They both toppled over a tombstone and started trading blows. The other two Sub'ordii attacked the rest of the group.
Xander aimed his crossbow but before he could fire it was swatted out of his hand by one of the demons. Xander jerked backwards as the demon swiped at him with his claws but wasn't quick enough to avoid its backhand, and was sent flying into a nearby crypt. The demon moved in for the kill but was interrupted by Anya repeatedly slamming her mace into its back. "Hey! Claws off the fiancé!" she yelled.
Willow rushed to Tara's side as the third demon charged, pushing her out of its path. Willow managed to throw herself out of the demon's way just as it stormed by. She landed on her side but was up quickly. Tara was slower regaining her feet and Willow looked over to see the demon grabbing Tara by the throat and lifting her off the ground. She raised her sword and charged.
Buffy was starting to get pissed. The demon was strong and it was annoying. 'I'm gonna break a nail on this one,' she silently fumed. She shoved the demon off her and got to her feet. As the demon stood she delivered three kicks to its midsection causing it to stagger under the blows. She spotted Xander's discarded crossbow and lunged for it.
Willow brought her sword down across the demon's back. Only to have it bounce off. The demon dropped Tara to the ground, where she lay trying to catch her breath, and slowly turned towards Willow, growling.
Willow stared stunned at her sword for a moment and then looked up at the demon "Well now," she said nervously, "you see, that just isn't fair. Scaly, amour-like skin is definitely and unfair advantage and you should, uh, let me kill you to make up for it." Willow stated logically. The demon's huge arm swung through the air and connected with Willow's face, launching her backwards into the bushes.
"Willow!", screamed Tara hoarsely.
The demon turned back towards Tara but she was ready for it. Swiftly she delivered a hard kick between its legs, praying to the Goddess that it was a boy demon and that its parts were in the right place. A look of pure agony crossed the demon's brutish face and it doubled over in pain. Tara recited a quick spell and sent the demon flying towards a stone statue.
Willow worked to detract herself from the bushes. She stood wobbly and grabbed her sword, preparing to re-engage. That's when she felt it.
Energy surged through her; magic filled her every fiber. 'What's going on! I didn't call this. Where is it coming from! Tara!' , her mind screamed, panic and fear seizing her. She was vaguely aware of a hand on her back but as more magic flooded into her body that and all other thoughts were swept away.
Tara watched the demon slam into the statue and then scrambled to her feet to help Willow. That's when she sensed it. The air crackled with energy and Tara could feel magic being summoned. For an instant she thought she heard Willow call out for her but then the hum of magic drowned out all other sounds. Something tingled at the edge of her senses, something foreign, but in an instant it was gone.
Tara would always remember what happened next as if it had occurred in slow motion. She started to run towards the bushes, towards Willow, but then stopped, frozen in place by what she saw. Willow hovered just above the ground, eyes black, hand's crackling with energy.
"Willow", whispered Tara in disbelief, her nightmare a reality before her. "Please don't", she begged, hoping Willow would hear her.
But Willow was beyond hearing. Magic coursed through her veins. And it felt good. 'Why was I fighting something this good?', she questioned, lost in a dreamlike state. She noticed the demons attaching her friends and rage surged in her. Willow flew forward; arms spread wide, and uttered one word.
"Flagrare!"
Instantly the three demons burst into flames, their screams pierced the night. Xander and Anya jumped away from the demon they had been fighting and Buffy threw herself behind a gravestone as her demon went up in flames. Within seconds there were only ashes remaining.
Tara stood stunned, her brain still not fully understanding what had just happened. But her heart knew, and it was breaking.
Willow was beyond bliss. She drifted down to the ground, a giggle issuing from her mouth as she touched down. Red tendrils of energy still rippled from her hands and her eyes remained black. "Well that was pretty cool. Demons went poof!"
"Willow what did you do?" asked Buffy as she stepped next to Tara. Xander and Anya hung back, not sure what to do.
"I poofed the demons for you. I mean it's not like you were making any headway in that department. So, you know"
"Willow, you used magic", Tara said evenly, coming out of her shock.
"I saved your life! God, I mean I can't you at least acknowledge that!" Willow yelled at the blonde, becoming agitated.
"Take it easy Will." Buffy soothed "We just"
"No! I'm not just your little sidekick anymore Buffy. I won't be!" screamed Willow. Energy cracked from her hands and her eyes darted frantically around the graveyard as if seeking escape. She took a step back.
"Willow" Tara said calmly "Willow look at me."
Willows eyes obeyed, her gaze coming to rest on the blond. The rest of the world dissolved and there was only she and Tara.
"Willow, it's ok. It's Tara. Everything's ok. We know what you did for us. Please, just calm down and let me take you back to the house, to our room."
"Our room?" asked Willow in a voice that was suddenly childlike. Magic swirled through her body, fogging up her mind. It was making it hard to think. But Tara's' words were gently cutting through that fog, pushing the magic to the side. 'It's ok. Everything's ok. Tara said it was.'
"Yes, our room. So I can take care of you"
"Yeah, come on Will", Buffy said as she stepped forward and placed her hand on Willows arm.
"Buffy don't!" yelled Tara. But it was too late. Willow, jolted from her Taraworld, recoiled. "Get off me!" she screamed and swept her hand through the air. Buffy and Tara were blown backwards, landing together in a heap on the ground. Xander and Anya were immediately at their side helping them up.
Xander turned to Willow "Will what to hell are you doing?" He shouted louder than he'd intended, but things were getting out of hand.
"IÉ. Oh god. Oh god." Willow whimpered as the realization of what she'd just done crept over her. She backed away, stopping when her back met the crypt. All color had drained from her face and she stared terrified at the group.
I simply can not believe this fic only has two feedbacks on it!! 
i dont understand it
. I'm not sure when it happened... all I know is that you swept me away.
.
tht was brill i loved it truely amazing plot and writin 