Wiccanslllusion: Thank you, I’m glad I made your night. Thanks for reading.
The Rose24: Thanks, glad you liked it.
MissQuirky: Ashley, yeah I know Anya was a little harsh, but the thing with Anya is that she speaks her mind, regardless. Plus, cheesy plot points needed to be made and who better? As for Tracy and Myra, well you’ll have to read the last update! I’m glad you liked the exchange between Buffy and Tara. Thanks for reading.
mollyig: Yeah, Tara still has to fight her own insecurities, but she came through in the end. And the Scoobs were scared, I think. Anyway, thanks for reading I appreciate it.
VampNo12: One of the things I am going to miss about this whole thing is your insightful feedback. Thank you so much for reading. As for Anya, yeah, she was being herself; still newly human she doesn’t quite know how to voice her concerns. But she raised genuine points. Willow’s addiction is hard on them all, not just Willow herself and as we saw in the last few episodes no one would be safe if she gave in.
I love “vixen” Tara, can you tell? LOL. And Willow’s admission to Tara about what she would risk I felt was very real, and genuine. I really tried to interject that realism into this story and I hoped it worked. As for Tara standing up to the gang for Willow, well, how could she not? She made her choice and as I feel she is the most grownup of the Scoobie’s she would be the one to not jump to conclusions. Besides, in forgiving Willow she let herself really
see how Willow was fighting the addiction and it’s hold. I’m sad as well, and I hope the last part is worth the wait. Thanks again for reading.
snuggle79: Thank you, I’m glad you liked it. And yeah, it was tough having them gang up on her. Thank you for reading and I hope you like the last update.
Puff: Yep, the last update will follow. I hope everything is resolved and it’s worth the wait. I’m glad you liked the addition of Spike. He had the information that they needed. I’m also glad you liked the part where Willow was very honest with Tara about what she would risk. You are right, no more secrets between our girls. And of course Tara stood up for her girl! As for Myra, well, you’ll have to wait and see. Thank you for the compliment about not wanting this to end, I appreciate your reading and all your comments.
Tulipp: I hope I’ll surprise you, but I have a feeling that your ideas would be better than the one I thought up! Thanks for reading I really appreciate it.
Scout: Thank you for reading. I’m glad you liked the last few updates and I hope you’ll like the ending.
XwickedXWiccan: I know what you mean about Tracy, it was hard for me to decide her fate, but I hope I made the right decision. Anyway, glad you liked the update and the cramp joke! Thanks for reading.
MadeinNZ: Glad you liked Anya’s telling it like it is! Thank you for reading!
spazz07: Thanks Nath, I appreciate it. And yep, I think they would risk anything and everything. Glad you liked the cramp stuff! Thank you so much for reading!
Well, here it is, the end. I do hope you all like it and it was worth the wait. I want to thank you all again for sharing this journey with me. I have learned a lot about the process of writing and I’ve found that maybe I’m not as shy as I thought. I have really appreciated all of the feedback I got, you all are the best and words cannot express how thankful I am to you all. There are a few people I want to thank now, Ruth, you are a goddess, I never would have found the courage to post this if it had not been for your encouragement and your wonderful insight. I can never thank you enough for that. Also, I’d like to thank JD for all of her help, you are the best! And lastly, I would like to thank Xita and all the mods for giving us this wonderful place. I was kind of drifting around, at loose ends almost, and then I discovered the Kitten and found the best community on the Web, you are all wonderful. Thank you very much.
So, with out further delay, here is the conclusion to Restoration.
Wendy Rae
Part Fifteen After everyone left Willow sat by herself at the research table. She was still a little hurt that the others had believed Spike no matter how briefly. Willow understood why though. After all the lies she was surprised that they trusted her at all.
The redhead felt guilty that they had thought of her. It was her fault that they couldn’t trust her completely. Willow sighed and tried to push those thoughts away. She tried to focus on the book in front of her.
“Hey,” Tara said softly sitting down next to her. Willow turned another page without looking up.
“Hey,” she answered listlessly.
“Listen,” Tara said quickly leaning toward Willow. “You know that I didn’t believe him. And no one else did either, not really. It’s just that they’re afraid.”
“I know. They’re afraid I’ll go all black eyed magic crazy and turn them all into frogs or something,” Willow replied bitterly. Her eyes narrowed at the thought of all those frogs. “Or not frogs but maybe something else not so scary.”
“That’s not it, Will,” sighed Tara. She reached over and placed her hand on top of one of Willow’s, forcing the redhead to stop turning pages randomly. “Look at me,” Tara ordered softly. Willow looked up hesitantly, her eyes fearful. Tara’s heart clenched painfully at the sight of Willow’s eyes full of fear, guilt and self-disgust.
“Willow, they are not afraid
of you, they are afraid
for you,” Tara told her. “They,
we, know how hard you are trying. We’re afraid that you might slip and we won’t be able to help you,” her eyes pleaded with Willow to understand.
“We don’t know what you’re going through, we can’t know what it’s like for you. We can’t know how hard it is. All we see is how hard you fight. We’re afraid Willow, so very afraid that we won’t be able to help you, to keep you from falling,” tears sprang up in her eyes.
“We feel helpless and that makes us afraid. Because if we can’t help you,” her voice was thick with passion, her eyes fierce as she gripped Willow’s hand. “And if one brief misstep causes you to lose control, we could
lose you and
that scares us to death,” she finished her voice soft yet it thrummed with concern. “We can’t,
I can’t, lose you Will.” The tears fell from her eyes, staining the table. Willow’s lower lip trembled and she fought back her own tears.
“Oh baby,” Willow cried throwing herself into Tara’s waiting arms. Tara held her tight, whispering soft words of love and encouragement in her ear. “I’m so scared Tara. I’m
so scared. What if I can’t fight it? What if I lose control?”
“Shh, baby, it’ll be okay. You can do it. You have come this far. There is nothing you can’t do once you set your mind to it,” Tara told her, her voice confident. “Remember you’re strong.”
“Strong like Amazon?” whispered Willow.
“Yes, strong like Amazon,” Tara answered with a small smile.
“But I’m afraid,” Willow said in a small childlike voice.
“It’s okay to be afraid Willow,” Tara said gently, stroking the red hair. “But always remember, you are not alone. We are here for you.
I am here for you. We’ll do what ever you need,” she hugged Willow close, letting the redhead feel the love. “Let yourself be scared Willow,” she whispered. “Let yourself rely on us baby. We’ll get through this. We
all will.”
“I love you so much Tara,” Willow said her voice breaking with emotion. She pulled back slightly to look at the blonde who held her. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Lucky for you I’m not going anywhere,” Tara replied with a cheeky grin.
Willow tentatively smiled back before leaning in and placing her lips tenderly on Tara’s. An explosion of feeling surged through Willow at the contact. Tara’s essence poured into her, renewing her strength, her resolve. Willow felt the depth of Tara’s love for her resonate deep into her soul. With a soft whimper she deepened the kiss, pulling Tara closer, aching to have full contact with the blonde.
“Hey now! Child present!” Dawn called out, her eyes wide. The witches broke the embrace and blushed. Willow opened her mouth to reply when her computer beeped.
The redhead stared at the results of the program she had been running. Her eyes widened in surprise and her hands began to flutter nervously.
“What is it Will?” Tara asked with a frown.
“I was running a program, it’s designed to tell me the best time to perform a spell for maximum results. Such as, will it work better on a full moon or a crescent moon, that sort of thing. Also it collates the alignment of stars and planets to see if there are any ramifications for a spell,” Willow told the other two. She had designed the program to help out Buffy, her need to contribute spurring her on.
“And this means?” Tara asked already confused.
“Basically like I said, it tells me, based on the components of the spell, the alignment of the stars and such, when to perform a spell,” Willow answered, her eyes still on the computer screen.
“You can do that?” Dawn wanted to know. She was impressed with the program.
“Yeah, it’s really not that hard,” Willow shrugged but pleased none the less. Ever since her addiction she had wanted to find a way to help the Scoobies and she had hoped the program would be it.
“Will! What does this mean?” Tara pointed to the screen, trying to get the redhead’s attention.
“It means we have to find Buffy. Tonight is the best time to perform the restoration spell,” the redhead imparted her voice heavy with dread.
“This is bad,” Tara said grimly.
“It’s very bad,” nodded Willow turning back to the computer.
* * *
“You failed me,” Myra’s voice was dead, devoid of any emotion. The brunette at her feet flinched.
“I’m sorry Myra, I tried,” she cried. Tracy was trembling uncontrollably, fear lanced through her.
“Enough Tracy,” her sister cut her off. “You’ve failed. But there is something you can do. Maybe you can make it up to me,” she told the brunette. Even though Tracy had failed to bring Willow to her, Myra decided to try the spell. Glory’s minions had told her that tonight was the night and no power on earth was going to stop her from restoring Glory.
“Anything Myra!” Tracy looked up her eyes filling with hope. “Whatever you want Myra! I promise not to fail again.” Her fear for her daughter would allow her to do no less. She would do anything to be able to see her child again.
“I don’t think you will fail this time Tracy,” Myra told her, looking down at her dispassionately. A slow cruel smile slide over her face, never reaching her eyes.
* * *
“So, Slayer, alone at last,” Spike smirked as they walked through the deserted alley. Buffy sighed and thrust her hands in the pockets of her leather jacket.
“Knock it off Spike,” she growled. Spike took a deep drag of his cigarette.
“No, you knock it off. I know how you feel about me, why do you keep fighting it?” he demanded.
“I’m not fighting it Spike. I don’t feel the way you think I do,” Buffy answered him, her voice strained with frustration at having to deal with him. Her eyes scanned the alley.
“I
know how you feel Slayer,” Spike said his voice pitched low, seductive, his eyes narrowed as he cast a side glance at her.
“Spike, I’m only out here with you to find Rack,” Buffy said angrily stopping to look at the blond vampire.
“Face it Buffy, I’m under your skin, you crave what I can give you,” Spike drawled, moving to stand close to the blonde Slayer, invading her personal space. Buffy closed her eyes briefly. “Let go, stop fighting,” Spike’s voice was soft; he leaned in closer to Buffy. “Give in to the darkness you know is there.”
Buffy, her eyes closed wrestled with her desires. Tara’s words rung in her ears. She was strong. She didn’t have to do this if she didn’t want to. And she really didn’t want to; she didn’t like how it made her feel.
“No, Spike,” she whispered softly. His eyes narrowed dangerously and he moved a step closer. Quicker than he could blink he felt the sharp pointed edge of the stake pressing into his chest. Surprised, he looked down at the stake Buffy held. “This is over, get it through your head. This is not right and I don’t want this.”
“Yes you do!” Spike protested angrily. “You feel it, the heat that courses between us I know you do!”
“No, Spike, the only thing I feel is disgust!” Buffy spat, poking the blond vampire with the stake causing him to take a step back. “I feel disgust and I don’t like myself very much when I’m with you. I’m sorry Spike, but it’s over,” she said lowering her voice. Her feelings for him were confused but the one thing that she did know was that she could never be with him the way he wanted.
“I don’t believe it,” he shook his head, not wanting to concede the point. Buffy felt the anger spring up again. He just wouldn’t
get it.
“Believe it Spike, because if you don’t I’ll stake you where you stand, chip or no chip,” she told him grimly, giving him another poke with the wooden stake for good measure. Spike looked down at the stake near his heart then back up at the woman that held his heart.
“Fine,” he spat stepping back. “Have it your way, for now,” he told her. Buffy opened her mouth to speak, when out of nowhere a young man fell into her. His eyes were glassy and glazed and he was mumbling under his breath. The man stood up, looked at Buffy and shuffled off.
“What the hell?” Buffy asked, watching as the man left the alley.
“Take my hand,” Spike said. Buffy spun back around to face him.
“Spike!” Buffy snapped angry again. Spike sighed heavily.
“We’re here,” he told her. “At Rack’s. Remember it’s cloaked, take my hand,” he held out a hand to her.
“I’m not touching you,” the Slayer told the vampire.
“Fine,” Spike turned and faced the empty alleyway. He took step forward and as Buffy watched shimmered from view. With a sigh she followed him.
Spike grunted when Buffy ran into him. Buffy moved from behind his back and looked around curiously. The room was drab, the carpet stained, the couch was sagging. There were two people in the room, sitting on opposite sides of the couch. One was chewing his fingernails and the other; a woman was rocking back and forth, her arms folded over her stomach. Desperation clung to them, the stink of it thick in the air. Buffy recognized the signs of withdraw.
“We’re here,” Spike said needlessly as he too looked around the dank room. Buffy’s eyes fell on a closed door. Without a word she strode over to it and with a well placed kick knocked it open.
The man lolling on the couch didn’t look surprised. With one hand he pushed back lank dark hair, revealing the jagged scar on his face. He sat up slowly, stopping the stream of energy that had been pouring into the girl in the opposite corner. Buffy didn’t take her eyes off the man.
“That’s quite an entrance,” he said, his gravelly voice amused.
“Well, that’s me, always making an entrance, it’s a gift,” Buffy said with a shrug. She felt Spike move up next to her, keeping himself between her and the girl in the corner. Buffy took a quick glance at the girl and wasn’t surprised to see that it was Amy. The ex-rat’s eyes were closed and she had a dreamy smile on her face.
“I smell power on you girl, but not my kind of power,” the man stood up slowly, an oily smile playing on his lips. “Did you come to me for a boost?”
Buffy shivered. The thought of Willow in this place made her sad. Sad that she had not seen the downward spiral her friend had been on. Maybe if she had then Willow would never of ended up here, in this room with this man. Buffy firmly pushed the self-disgust aside, now was not the time.
“No, for information,” Buffy told him, her voice ringing with a confidence she didn’t quite feel. She didn’t think that she and Spike could fight the warlock if he started throwing around magic, but she knew that they had to try. Rack laughed harshly, there was no amusement in it. His dead eyes didn’t show any emotion.
“Information? From me little girl?” he asked moving closer to the Slayer. He took a deep breath and started circling the woman, like a shark circling its prey. “Interesting power you got girl.”
“Listen, I don’t have a lot of time. I’m looking for a woman, she may have come to you looking for a boost,” Buffy said.
“You don’t look the kind to swing that way, little girl,” Rack said with a smirk, stopping to stand in front of the Slayer.
“Hey!” Spike growled stepping in front of Buffy. Without blinking an eye, Rack raised his hand and shot a bolt of energy into Spike, throwing the vampire across the room. Buffy didn’t turn around, even when she heard the sickening thud of Spike hitting the wall.
“Now, little girl, you want something from me, you have to give something to me,” Rack told Buffy. The Slayer suppressed a shiver of revulsion. Rack stepped closer and took a deep breath, savoring the smell. His eyes opened and he looked at her surprised before taking a step back.
“You’re the Slayer,” he said flatly.
“Yeah, that’s me,” Buffy answered. “Now, this chick’s name is Myra, she would have coming looking for a significant power boost.”
Rack stepped back again and sat down on the couch, lying back indolently. His eyes studied the Slayer in front of him. The dealer never looked at Spike as the blond vampire groggily regained his feet and staggered over to stand next to Buffy.
“How’s Strawberry?” he asked suddenly. Buffy’s eyes narrowed and anger sparkled in their depths. She knew whom he was talking about and her blood boiled that he would mention Willow.
“Fine,” Buffy spat. Rack just studied the Slayer, he could see her anger rolling off her in waves and it excited him. The dealer knew that with his magic he could hold her off, not indefinitely but enough to escape. But he was also smart enough to know that if she broke free, or he lost his concentration she could get to him. As much as the thought of a showdown between him and the Slayer pleased him, he didn’t want any bruises. Besides, there was no harm in doing the Slayer a favor she might reciprocate some day.
“She was here,” he finally said. “Got her boost then left.”
“How long ago?” Buffy demanded. Rack took a deep breath and a slow smile slid over his face.
“Time, is meaningless here little girl,” his rough voice was amused. Buffy growled and took a step closer to him. She really wanted to hit something and he would do nicely. Rack held up a hand and energy crackled between his fingers. “You wanna try me?”
“I just want some answers,” Buffy snapped frustrated. She knew that with his magic she was at a disadvantage. Buffy really hoped she would be able to hit something soon.
“She was here about an hour or so ago,” Rack finally said, lowering his hand. “Got her boost and left,” the dealer repeated.
“Do you know where she was going?” Buffy asked. Rack just chuckled.
“No, but I know what she was going to do,” he laughed again. With a large smile he took a deep breath again, the stink of Dark Magick filling his lungs like the scent of a blooming rose. “And she’s already started,” Rack told Buffy.
Buffy frowned and looked at Spike, the blonde vampire returned her look with a shrug. Without another word Buffy took off at a run, through the ruined door and out of the drab waiting room. Buffy ran as fast and as hard as she could, one thought echoing through her mind. Willow.
* * *
Willow gasped suddenly and clutched her stomach. They had started toward the door to go find Buffy when the redhead doubled over in pain. Tara rushed to her and wrapped her arms around the other woman.
“Will! Are you all right?” she asked her voice full of fear.
“Oh God,” the redhead grimaced. A cold thin pain sliced through her stomach. Sweat popped out on her forehead. Willow felt the dark energy surround her, pushing, pulling at her, calling to her. She clenched her hands together trying to fight the craving.
The tingling moved up to land at the base of her skull, the pressure behind her eyes built up. It begged to be released. The sensation of being engulfed in power circled her, flowed through her. Her heart pounded in her chest. Willow could feel her eyes changing color.
“Will?” Tara’s voice was small, fearful as she watched the struggle. Willow stood up and stepped out of Tara's loose embrace.
“Someone is drawing a lot of power,” Willow managed through clenched teeth. “The spell’s started.”
“Oh God,” whispered Tara.
“What do we do?” Dawn wanted to know, her youthful voice was full of fear. She wished Buffy were there.
“I can follow the magic,” Willow gasped and leaned over in pain as another wave of longing crashed into her.
“You can follow it?” Tara questioned moving closer again, to the redhead. Willow just nodded. Her face was ashen, sweat was pouring from her and her breath was coming in quick gasps.
“I can find them,” Willow told her. The bell over the door tinkled and Xander and Anya entered, each frowning.
“That was a bust,” Xander said frustrated. He looked at Willow as the redhead doubled over once more. “Willow!” he rushed toward his friend.
“Glad you’re back. Stay here with Dawn,” Tara ordered them her voice devoid of emotion.
“You sure?” Xander asked looking up at Tara with a frown.
“Yes, if Glory gets past us she may come looking for Dawn. Buffy would want you to keep her safe,” the blond Wiccan said. She almost couldn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth. Tara knew though that she had to try to stop the spell. Glory could not be allowed to enter this world. She pushed her fear into a small compartment. Tara decided she would take it out to examine later, now there was no time. Xander looked down at her, his eyes telling her that he would protect Dawn with his life.
“If Buffy comes back, tell her the spell has started and Willow is following the magic,” Tara told the concerned dark haired man.
“Good luck,” he told Tara, stepping back letting Tara take Willow into her arms.
Tara looked at Willow who was grimacing in pain. “Will, you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Willow managed without moving her lips.
“You can find them?”
“I can find them,” the redhead answered.
“Let’s go,” Tara said and with her arm around Willow, the blonde helped her to the door.
Willow took a deep breath of the cool night air. She could still feel the pull of the magic. Looking around she waited for the magic to tell her which way. The redhead didn’t have to wait long. With confidence she moved off down the sidewalk.
As Willow walked she felt the magick pulling her along, singing to her, begging her to draw it in and wield it. The blood ran hot through her veins and she could almost taste the magick. Willow could feel the energy crackling around her. She let herself feel the pull and followed it.
“Tara believes in me,” Willow repeated to herself in a whisper. “I believe in me,” she said it over and over, a mantra against the allure of the dark magick.
Willow lead them further from the Magic Box and the business district. After awhile the houses started to fall away. Tara recognized the area; she was not surprised to see the ruins of Sunnydale High School come into view. Willow moved confidently along, led by the magick. Tara looked at her lover concerned
The intense pull of the magick became harder to resist the closer Willow got to it. She could feel it writhing in the air, a living, breathing thing. Willow could almost hear it whispering to her, trying to seduce her; she could feel the heat of the magick licking at her soul. She fought the siren call as she moved ever closer to the school.
“Buffy,” Tara called out silently. Long before they had broken up Willow and Tara had worked long and hard on the telepathy spell, just in case.
“We're at the school!” she mentally shouted hoping the blonde Slayer had heard her.
Willow followed the pull of the magick toward where the library used to be. Carefully the two witches made their way through the ruins. Suddenly, Willow stumbled into the remains of the library. The area was bathed in candlelight. Candles circled the area, casting shadows. In the center of the area was a pentagram surrounded by a circle. In the center of the pentagram, encased in a pulsating green glow was Tracy. Standing outside of the glow, but still within the circle was another woman in a black robe. A clay urn sat at her feet. Myra, Tara silently deduced. In her hand Myra held a silver dagger. Surrounding the circle stood six brown robed figures. Their scabby faces and lank, straggly hair named them Glory’s minions.
Willow groaned and stumbled to a halt. The magick buzzed around her, shrouding her, coaxing her addiction. Her head fell back and her arms were outstretched as she unwillingly soaked up more magick.
As Tara watched, Myra chanted something she could not hear and poured the contents of a small jar over the blade. Some of the red liquid spilled onto the ground and Willow and Tara staggered as the ground shook. Still chanting Myra dipped the blood soaked dagger into the urn at her feet and swirled it around. When she withdrew the dagger it glowed with a pulsating light. Tracy struggled with the unseen binds that bound her.
“Willow!” cried Tara when the redhead’s eyes snapped open. They were coal black. Her body was rigid as she fought to keep the magic at bay.
“Tara, help me!” Willow’s voice echoed in her mind. “I need you to take possession of the spell!”
“Oh God Willow,” Tara groaned realizing the enorminity of the task. Her eyes were wide with fright and doubt.
“Tara I need you!” Willow’s voice was soft.
Tara took a deep breath, hesitating. She didn’t know what to do. Willow wanted her to take control of a dark magick spell. Tara wondered if she had the strength to do it. The blonde Wiccan looked at the circle and the chanting woman, her skin prickled as she felt the magick. Tara knew the consequences if Glory escaped. And if Glory didn’t escape and Myra lost control of the spell then the Hellmouth could open and unspeakable evil could be released. Tara looked at Willow, the redhead’s eyes were still black but Tara could see Willow in them. The words she had spoken in the training room came to her. She would risk everything to protect this woman.
“Tell me how!” Tara demanded making her decision.
“Take my hand,” the redhead told her. “I’ll show you.” Tara looked at her swallowing painfully. She moved to Willow’s side and grasped her hand. A gasp was torn from her as Dark Magick poured into her. Tara stood rigid as the magick moved from Willow to her. Willow’s eyes drained back to their normal color.
The witch looked around. The minions, realizing what they were attempting to do rushed toward them. Suddenly, bursting in from behind them Buffy and Spike met the minions head on. Buffy was fighting two of the minions while Spike was busy with the other two. Two others were warily circling looking for an opening in the narrow room to get behind the fighting duo to reach the two witches. The Slayer and the vampire easily dispatched one each, keeping the others at bay. They were pushing the minions back until they were almost at the circle. Myra never stopped in her chanting, intent on the spell that would bring Glory to her.
“Buffy!” Willow cried out. “Don’t break the circle!” She gripped Tara’s hand tighter. The blonde squeezed back.
Tara’s body hummed with suppressed energy. She had never felt so much power at any time before. Tara finally understood the craving Willow felt whenever she was faced with the seductive pull of the magick. The thought of just giving in, letting herself succumb to the power flitted through her mind. Her mother’s teachings though came to the forefront. With a shake of her head Tara threw away the desire and harnessed the Dark Magick crackling around her.
Willow looked over at Tara and the blonde nodded her head. She was ready.
“We do this together, right?” the blonde witch asked knowing this was the only way. Tara pushed the thought of consequences aside. They would deal with those later.
“Together,” was the firm answer.
As one, they turned back to the circle and stepped closer. The grunts and groans of the combatants barely registered. Tara briefly thought about Anya’s warning about the demon underworld using them as a vessel but pushed it aside. The two of them together, were strong enough. They were strong enough to face anything.
The two women began chanting, their voices rising and falling together, the words echoing in their minds. Energy crackled from their free hands and they raised them, pointing them palm first at the circle.
As they watched, the glow around Tracy moved furiously. The woman outside the glow chanted faster, looking over her shoulder in fear at the two witches. Myra cut her hand with the Dagger, mixing her blood with the blood and ash already on the blade. In a quick motion she stabbed Tracy in the stomach. Tracy gasped, yet no sound escaped the green glow she was encased in.
The combined voices of the two witches rose steadily as they fought for control of the spell. Tara had no idea how she knew what to say. She just repeated the words Willow’s voice whispered to her in her mind.
The woman in the circle practically screamed the chant. She pulled the Dagger from Tracy’s stomach and placed it in the urn again, swirling it around. The woman pulled the Dagger out and once more plunged it into Tracy’s stomach. The green glow around Tracy grew brighter and the brunette threw her head back, her features contorting in pain. Her arms were wide spread and something seemed to be holding her upright as blood poured from her wounds.
Buffy dropped the Troll Hammer she had grabbed from the Magic Box. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she tried to catch her breath from the dead run and the fight. The last of the minions had fallen. She watched, shocked as Tracy’s features began to change. Her hair turned from dark brown to blonde, from straight to curly. The Slayer watched in horror as Tracy’s face changed to Glory’s. The Hell God’s face was etched in pain.
Tracy’s features fought to reestablish themselves. Buffy grew dizzy and nauseated as Tracy blended into Glory then back again in blinding speed. The two women screamed soundlessly, endlessly as pain racked their combined bodies.
Myra continued to chant, her breathing shallow. Sweat rolled down her face, her voice was hoarse. Her eyes were wide and fear flickered across her face, as she looked back once more at the two witches. Willow and Tara on the other hand stood almost calmly; their hands still locked together, their voices not rising.
Tracy’s features melted once more into Glory’s and the Hell God stood there, her eyes narrowing dangerously as she caught sight of Buffy. Glory shouted something but the words did not penetrate the pulsating green glow that encased her.
Willow and Tara reached out with their free hands and the ground started to shake and move. With a loud cracking noise a large hole opened up within the circle. Stagnant air exploded from the pit, causing Buffy to choke as she struggled to keep her balance. Spike almost fell into her as he tried to reach her to keep her from falling.
A large mottled gray hand rose from the depths of the pit and grabbed the woman’s ankle. She faltered in her chant and struggled against the hand, screaming. Following behind the hand was a muscular arm and a pointed head with curved horns. Another arm came out and grabbed the woman.
Willow and Tara continued to chant, their voices now rising and the words coming faster. Their eyes were locked on the demon as they struggled to keep control of the spell.
Buffy watched her eyes wide with horror as the demon turned to look at her. It had three eyes, all a dead black color. The demon opened its mouth to reveal jagged yellowed teeth. With a predatory grin it pulled and Myra fell screaming into the pit. The demon turned to the two witches who were now shouting the chant at it. It howled once in rage before following Myra into the pit.
The ground rumbled and rolled, churning as if something from the depths was trying to break free. The witches raised their free hands again, palms facing the pit. Never breaking rhythm with their chant a stream of light burst from their palms and the pit sealed. The shaking stopped suddenly, leaving a cacophony of silence behind.
Willow and Tara took another step toward the green glow that still encased Glory. Their hands still raised, their chant changed pace. Energy crackled between them. Colored light shot from Tara’s palm and surrounded the green glow.
Glory writhed in pain as the pure energy hit her. The glow around her brightened. Buffy and Spike shaded their eyes from the intense light. The energy grew brighter and brighter, shrinking the green glow around Glory.
“No!” they heard the Hell God scream, the first sound that had penetrated the barrier.
“Nooo!” they heard again before the sound was abruptly silenced. The light vanished as if a light switch had been flicked off. Silence descended. A thud broke the unnatural stillness. Tracy had fallen.
* * *
“Wow,” Xander said in disbelief. The Scoobies were sitting around Buffy’s living room much later.
After getting Tracy to the hospital they had called Xander and the others telling them to meet there. The doctors had wheeled Tracy into the operating room immediately. They had been told to go home since Tracy’s parents were on the way. The police had been informed and they had begun a search for Tracy’s daughter. The little girl was found later, asleep in a run down motel. Apparently Glory’s minions had been watching her. When they realized that the spell had not been successful they had left, leaving the girl behind. The manager found her when she had gone to the room due to a complaint from another room that the television was too loud.
“Wow,” Xander repeated shaking his head. “Score one for the Wiccan duo!”
“Yeah, it was pretty intense,” Buffy agreed. She looked over at the two exhausted women who sat on the couch as close together as they could get with out sitting on each other’s lap. “Willow, you shouldn’t have done that.”
“I was okay,” Willow told her, her voice was hoarse. “As soon as Tara joined with me, the craving was gone, the magick wasn’t using me. Tara made all the difference,” she explained looking over at the blonde, her eyes shining with the pride she felt for the blonde Wiccan.
“How do you feel? Any cravings?” Anya wanted to know; she looked at Willow intently wanting to see if her eyes were still black.
“I feel fine, just tired, fighting the magick took a lot out of me,” the redhead told them.
“Still, that was a big chance,” Buffy said intently.
“It’s okay Buffy, Tara didn’t let me get lost,” was the soft reply. Willow looked over at the woman next to her and smiled. Tara smiled back weakly, her head was pounding and all she wanted was to crawl into bed with Willow.
“No, I didn’t,” agreed Tara. “I’ll never let you get lost again.” The two women looked at each other, everyone else ceased to exist as they shared a loving smile.
“Still,” Buffy huffed not willing to concede the point.
“Don’t worry Buffy, she won’t be doing any more magick,” Tara told the Slayer, setting her mind at ease.
“Yeah, Buff, don’t sweat it, we won!” Xander crowed. Buffy didn’t reply she just shared a meaningful look with her best friend. She didn’t want Willow to give into temptation again, especially now that she finally had Tara back. Willow raised her chin, meeting her look head on letting her know silently that nothing would part her and Tara again. Buffy nodded, finally satisfied.
“I don’t understand exactly what happened,” Anya said with a frown.
“We tried to take control of the spell, but since it already started we had to let it finish,” Tara answered. “Unfortunately Myra lost control and a demon appeared. It took Myra as payment and let the spell finish. Once it was done we were able to reverse it.” Tara looked at the redhead sitting close to her and gave the hand in hers a gentle squeeze. The blonde knew she could not have done it without Willow guiding her.
“Together,” Anya pointed out looking at the two women knowing what Tara had not said. The two witches shared a sweet smile.
“Together,” they repeated as one still smiling at each other.
* * *
“God, I don’t think I have ever been so tired,” groaned Tara as she lay down on her side of the bed. Willow chuckled softly.
“Me either.”
The two fell silent as they let the effects of the night wash over them. Willow finally rolled over and looked at Tara. The blonde turned her head and smiled.
“Thank you,” Willow said simply.
“For what?” Tara asked moving to mirror Willow’s pose.
“For being there, for loving me,” was the simple answer.
“That was the easy part Willow,” Tara told her with a smile. “I’ll always be here for you.”
Willow looked at the blonde, her eyes memorizing the beloved features. A smile slide slowly over her face as she scooted closer to the other woman.
“I love you Tara,” she said her voice full of the love she felt. Tears sprang to Tara’s eyes and she smiled back a smile of such sweetness and light that it filled Willow’s heart with joy and brightened the darkness in her soul. Tara knew there were still things to discuss, to work on. Willow’s addiction would not be an easy thing to deal with but she knew they would get through it. The question of how they were able to work the Dark Magick spell together with out affecting Willow’s addiction had to be answered but Tara pushed that thought aside. The answers would come, the solutions to their problems would be found. As long as they worked on it together, they could handle anything.
“I love you too Willow,” was the soft reply. The two women moved together, their lips meeting in a kiss of promise, of passion. The kiss said everything words could not; it spoke of a love so eternal, so full that it would follow their souls for all time.
* * *
Eyes popped open in the dark. She looked around at the unfamiliar room before she realized where she was. The silence was only broken by the rasp of the respirator and the lazy beep of the heart monitor. She struggled to sit up but was unable to with all the machines hooked up to her. She looked around once more her eyes wide with fright. Her breathing grew labored and the beeps from the machine next to her started to beat erratically, suddenly the beeps slowed and the line on the machine barely moved. As she watched the lines moved to a flat line and the beep droned on continuously. Glory frowned as she struggled for another breath.
“Well ain’t this a peach,” the Hell God muttered before death stole over her borrowed body.
The End
Edited by: Ghostwriter at: 9/15/02 7:39:18 pm
by Ghostwriter » Wed Sep 11, 2002 5:43 pm 
Yay we got another update!! Thanx Wendy!! 
at: 9/11/02 7:25:47 pm
). Also found their discussion about what each would "risk" for the other quite moving. Yes, Willow should resist the urge to use magick in order not to lose herself, but I found it revealing how Willow turned it around by saying ("No Tara, if the situation were reversed what would you risk?, with Tara replying, "Everything").
), and although, I will be sad to see the fic end, I can't wait to see how everything comes together in the last part! 
