Title: Point of Origin part 10
Author: Magrat
Spoilers: Season 4 Superstar and season 5 Family.
Ratings: R
Disclaimer: Anything you recognise here is from the shooting script and was in no way written by me.
Point of Origin part 10
Willow sat on Tara’s bed and was helping the blonde witch cut photos out of a magazine. She was still so excited about the night before she could hardy contain herself. “Next thing I know, this crazed vamp's like, running right at me. And I know if it gets past me, there's no telling who's in danger next…”
Tara looked at Willow smiling; she loved to see the excitement and happiness showing in her eyes. “Come on, you have fun, admit it. Livin' the Scooby life.”
“I was trying for a kind of stoic bravery. But, yeah. I mean it was very exciting, with the ceiling coming in and everything,” said Willow starting to tape photos on the wall by the bed.
“Oh, that's a cute one,” said Tara looking at the photo of Jonathan Willow had taped up. “And Buffy? She was okay?”
“She was great. Twang-poof,” said Willow and then noticing the weird look that Tara was giving her. “That was the sound. Crossbow, vampire dust. I mean, she was a little cranky she missed that one vamp…”
Tara changed her tone being a little more serious. “I kinda meant personally. That whole thing with Faith, that pretty much freaked me out and I was just sensing it from a distance.”
Willow looked at Tara for a second, there was something that she wanted to discus with Tara about that night but it kept eluding her. It had been wonderful how Jonathan had performed that spell to find out what had happened, she was just pleased that Tara and herself had been able to help by anchoring him. Not as if he really needed an anchor with the power he possessed. “Oh. Well, yeah. I know she's not over the thing with Riley sleeping with Faith. You know what I mean…Faith's insides, in Buffy's outsides, when her insides were out.”
“I hope they'll be okay,” said Tara her brow furrowing.
“I'm sure it'll blow over. They're probably all with the smoochies right now,” said Willow smiling. “And anyway Jonathan was going to talk Buffy about it. I’m sure he will make it better.”
“It’s really cool how you went to school with him,” said Tara leaning back on the bed.
Willow moved to lie at her side. “Yeah, it was kinda fun. Hey, do you want to come to the Bronze tomorrow night? Jonathan is singing.”
“Sure it’ll be g-good,” said Tara. “And I’ve never seen him sing live.”
Willow absentmindedly stroked her hand down Tara’s arm. “And you’ll be able to spend more time with the rest of gang.”
“And you,” said Tara smiling sweetly.
Willow blushed slightly, everything was still so new in their relationship and it felt so nice having someone who gave her so much attention. “And talking of smoochies…”
“We were talking about smoochies?” Asked Tara playfully.
“Well, about Buffy and Riley smoochies but it got me to thinking, that I haven’t had much Tara smoochies today,” said Willow moving closer to Tara.
“I like it when you think,” said Tara as Willow kissed her on the cheek and then their lips met in a gentle kiss.
**************************
Tara was excited as they entered the Bronze, she couldn’t believe she was here on a date with Willow and Jonathan was singing. Things were going so well between her and Willow, though she still couldn’t understand why the vibrant redhead with her exciting friends would want to be with her. She looked over at Buffy and Riley and could feel the strain in the air between the two of them. She wondered if it were something that they would ever be able to get past.
The group headed to a table. Willow was relieved when the band finally came on stage and she had an excuse to drag Tara onto the dance floor. “Wow, that was tense.”
“Do Xander and Anya argue l-like that all they time?” Asked Tara who had blushed a deep red when the ex-demon had started talking about orgasms.
“Yeah, most of the time,” answered Willow. “And I think I should have really warned you about Anya, I apologize.”
“T-that’s okay, she was just a little…”
“Little rude?” Asked Willow raising her eyebrow.
“Maybe, but I was going to go with different,” said Tara smiling.
“Well, that’s one way to describe her. I’m sorry about the way everyone is behaving. I really wanted you to have fun tonight,” said Willow feeling slightly concerned.
“I am having fun. I’m here with you, Jonathan is singing and I got to meet someone who thinks that orgasm is a perfectly normal word to use in everyday conversation; what more could anyone want?” Giggled Tara her hand on Willow’s elbow
Willow started to laugh and they both watched the stage and danced to the music.
**************************
“They're quite a couple, aren't they?” asked Riley looking at Xander and Anya as they squabbled.
“If it turns into a fistfight, I've got a fifty on Anya,” answered Buffy watching her squabbling friends.
“I wonder if they'll last,” said Riley and then he looked away not sure if he had said the right thing.
The same thought went through Buffy’s mind. Was Riley the man for her? Could the pressures of their lives force them apart? “Riley... I... think...” She chickened out not able to articulate her feelings. “Willow's having a good time.”
“Uh-huh. I haven't really talked much to her friend yet,” said Riley watching Tara dance.
“Tara. She's nice. Kinda shy,” answered Buffy.
“Uh-huh,” said Riley as the pair’s conversation stuttered to a halt. Riley turned to watch as Jonathan appeared on the stage glass in hand.
Willow and Tara returned to the table to watch.
“Good evening everyone,” said Jonathan. “This song is dedicated to some friends of mine. A very special couple who have been going through a tough time.”
As Jonathan starts to sing Riley holds out a hand to Buffy, takes her to the dance floor and holds her close as they move with the slow romantic number.
“Looks like the crisis is over,” said Tara smiling as the song neared its end.
“Good thing. Finding new boyfriends for her is exhausting. I don't know if I've got another one in me,” said Willow pleased to see Buffy looking happy again.
A new song starts up and Tara bounces up and down with excitement. “Oh my God. He's gonna do something off the new album.”
Anya and Xander sit starring at Jonathan on stage as he launches into a trumpet solo.
“Xander?” Asks Anya.
“Yeah,” answers Xander not taking his eyes off the stage.
“Let's go have sex now,” states Anya, matter of factly.
“Yeah. Okay,” agrees Xander.
They start to leave the club still not taking their eyes off the stage, so they don’t notice the woman who comes rushing past them her, her dress is all torn and she’s covered in bruises.
Buffy turns and notices the injured woman. “What happened to you? Can I help?” Asks the slayer.
The girl ignores Buffy keeping her eyes firmly on Jonathan, who sees her and jumps off the stage and takes her hand. “Karen? That's your name isn't it? I signed my book for you. Tell me what hurt you, Karen. I can help.”
*********************
Willow and Tara watch the commotion from their table shocked at the state of the girl. Jonathan wraps his coat around her and leaves with Buffy and Riley close behind. Buffy comes running back in. “I’ll be back as soon as possible. I don’t want you two to leave. We don’t know what’s out there.”
The two witches nod in agreement.
Willow turns to Tara slightly nervously. “Never a dull moment, huh?”
Tara squeezes Willow’s shoulder. “Don’t w-worry I know what your life is like.”
“I haven’t frightened you off yet?” Asks Willow.
“It’ll take more than that to get rid of me,” replies Tara.
They watch as a lot of the patrons of the Bronze start to drift away many of them looking upset and crying with shock. A couple of the girls had fainted from the stress of what had happened and Willow was about to ask the staff if they needed any help when Buffy appeared.
“Hey, Buffy what’s going on?” Asks Willow.
“I’ll tell you on the way back to the dorms,” answers Buffy.
“Okay,” said Willow.
*************************
“I'm glad you're okay. Everyone in the Bronze was pretty freaked out after you all left,” said Willow to Buffy.
Tara stops to look at Willow. “So I guess you have to go fight this thing, huh?”
“All the weapons are at Giles', it won't take long…”
“No go,” said Buffy looking a little deflated.
“Did you just go no go?” Asked a surprised Willow.
“Jonathan did. Said it's some kind of brainless beastie. He's gonna take care of it himself,” said Buffy.
“Oh. Cool,” Willow said, pleased that she wouldn’t be called into action that night.
“I guess. It was a little... I don't know. For a second I thought he looked... like... scared,” said Buffy looking uncertain.
Willow laughed at her friend. “Um, Buffy, this is Jonathan. You know he doesn't get scared. You talked about it when you gave him the Class Protector Award at the Prom.”
“Right,” said Buffy but something is screaming at her in the back of her mind that she can’t shake.
Tara stops, pointing to the other fork as the path branches off. “Um-- my exit. Willow, I'll see you tomorrow.”
Willow is disappointed that she can’t spend the night at Tara’s but she has been staying close to Buffy since the trauma of her body swap with Faith. “Okay,” She puts her hand on Tara’s shoulder before drifting it down the blonde’s arm and giving her hand a gentle squeeze, her eyes never leaving Tara’s.
Buffy gives Tara a little wave as they leave her.
******************
Tara enters the dorm building and feels a strange prickly feeling as if something is behind her. She starts to feel scared and was sure she has picked up a noise from that direction. She walks faster, when suddenly a lumpy, scaly monster appears in front of her, blocking her path and throwing her to the floor. Tara screams terrified out of her wits. Somehow she manages to pull away from the creature as she desperately searches her mind for a spell. She is hurt and the breath has been knocked out of her as the monster renews its relentless attack. She knows she has to cast or this thing will kill her. The words come out in ragged breathless bursts. “Sensus confundantur et aer oppleatur. Caligo absorbeat mentem obscuratam.”
Smoke comes from Tara’s arms as she points them at the monster who becomes confused, trying to push the smoke away. She stumbles to her feet and pulls the door to the janitor supply closet open practically falling in to it then slams the door shut behind her. She sits huddled up and terrified listening as the beast pounds on the door, praying that it doesn’t give way.
**********************
Willow was sitting in library with one of her study groups when the student who was in the dorm room next to Tara’s came running towards her. She could see the panicked look on the girl’s face and she felt a cold feeling of dread hit her.
“Its Willow isn’t? it” Asked the girl. “Tara’s friend.”
The redhead nodded dumbly not wanting to hear the words this person was about say. She knew something had happened to Tara, she felt it in the whole of her being.
“She’s been hurt, maybe attacked, the Resident Advisor called the first aid squad and they’re with her now but they can’t get her to talk,” explained the girl.
“Where is she?” Asks Willow trying to stay calm.
“They took her to the room,” answers the girl.
*************************
Willow hesitated, as she stood at the door not sure whether to knock or walk straight in; scared of what she might see.
The other girl gave an impatient look and pushed the door open. “I found her.”
The R.A moved to Willow. “Your friend is pretty badly beaten but she won’t go to the hospital to get thoroughly checked out. The EMT’s think she’ll be okay, but aren’t sure; if you can persuade her or get her to talk about what happened…”
“Where was she found?” Asked Willow looking towards the woman she was in love with, desperate to hold herself together as she saw the state of her shaking girlfriend.
“The janitor found her hiding in his supply closet. She might have been there all night, she was very cold,” said the R.A.
Willow then turned and looked at the EMT’s who were with Tara. The man was standing back, seemingly aware of how uneasy he made the already scared girl feel, while a woman EMT tried to treat her. Willow drew her aside from the others and asked her how Tara was when she was found.
“She was very cold and obviously hurt,” said the woman searching for the right words to explain to Willow her fears. “She won’t really let me examine her…she flinched away when I tried to touch her…sometimes girls who have been…the way her clothes are all ripped.”
Willow’s eyes bulged and her voice came out in a defeated whisper. “You think she’s been raped?”
The EMT shrugged, but said with concern . “I don’t know, but she is in such shock. I don’t think she is going to talk with strangers here, but if you can get her to talk. I’m going to go now if there is anything, call me and I’ll personally come back.” She said, as she handed Willow a card with a number on it.
“Thank you. Were the police called?” Asked Willow as a thought occurred to her that she hoped not, who ever had done this to Tara was going to have to deal with the slayer.
“No, she became hysterical when I suggested it and the only thing I could get out of her was that she wanted you. I’m not happy about leaving her, but I don’t see what else I can do if she won’t let me treat her,” said the first aider looking with sad eyes over Willow’s shoulder at the huddled form on the bed.
“It’ll be fine,” said Willow hustling the EMT’s and the others out the door. She took a deep breath before turning and tears came to her eyes immediately. Tara lay on her side in the fetal position. She was shivering and Willow could see the bruises and cuts all over her. She knelt before her traumatized girl. “Tara, sweetie, it’s Willow.”
Blue eyes snapped open. “You c-came.”
“Of course I did. I love you,” said Willow softly knowing it without a doubt now.
Tara didn’t hear her as the shivers overtook her again.
Willow watched feeling powerless, then moved to hold her trembling love as she asked the questions that she was dreading hearing the answers to. “Tara, baby what happened…who did this to you?”
“D-demon, in the c-corridor. It was s-so s-strong, so savage,” said Tara tears flowing from her eyes at the memory.
“Ssh,” said Willow stroking back Tara’s hair, relief that her love hadn’t been raped, tempered by the fact that a demon was loose in the university. She moved to get up.
“D-don’t leave me,” pleaded Tara.
“I’m just going to get some hot water to clean you up and phone Buffy,” said Willow. “I’ll be here as long as you need me.”
**********************
Buffy had left, leaving Willow’s mind blown that the creature that attacked Tara could have been because of a mistake by Jonathan. It felt unreal to her. She shook her head and went back to her task of looking after Tara.
“Tara, sweetie, do you think you can get to the shower room. I’ve taken out your pajamas and I think you’ll feel better when you’re washed up,” said Willow.
Tara nodded and Willow helped her down the hall and into the shower stall. She waited just outside the stall in case Tara needed her. Besides there was no way she was leaving her alone, even for the briefest second. When Tara came out she looked better but still pale and she had the beginnings of a black eye showing.
Willow ushered her back into bed. “Try to get some sleep.”
“I don’t think I can w-without you,” said Tara.
“You won’t have to,” said Willow taking her shoes and pants off and getting into the bed beside Tara. She pulled the blonde in close and kissed her forehead. “See I’ll stay with you as long as you need me.” She curled up around Tara cocooning her ‘til she felt the blonde’s breathing becoming more rhythmic and they both gave into the exhaustion that had overtaken them.
TBC
The Glorious People Republic of Treacle Mine Road;
Truth, Justice, Freedom, Reasonably Priced Love and a Hard Boiled Egg
Edited by: Magrat70 at: 3/20/03 9:20:04 am
by Thanatopsis » Thu Sep 12, 2002 12:52 am 
)
with this update. You might have broken your all time record for fast posting after receiving the beta. Way to go Wendy
So good to see you back with this story.
at: 12/28/03 1:57 am
write fast and use both hands