Spoiler Warning for Season 4..."New Moon Rising"
Title- Angels and Goddesses
Rating- A...for Angst, S...for Smoochies, C....for Cuddles.
Copyright Disclaimer- (This is their way of torturing us you know....)-All characters belong to Joss and ME.
Notes- I seem to be running out of things to say in my notes...oh well then...lets see what happens next.
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Chapter 8.....New Love Rising.
Oz.
Oz.
Oz.
Oz had returned and Willow stumbled.
Tara sat in silence, her knees drawn to her chest, her heart reflecting back the darkness of the night. She dared not indulge in the pain, she pushed it down, pushed it down, back to the hollow where it always lived.
She had had a moment of divinity. A kiss so sweet it could last a lifetime. Perhaps now it would have to. Tara took in a gulp of air and squeezed her legs in tighter.
"What hubris" she murmured chastising herself. What a delusion that she Tara Maclay could fly so close to the sun. It was fitting now that she would fall from the sky, her wings but wax, into the sea.
She took in another bit of air fighting back the almost unbearable grief now stalking her. She was familiar with the feeling, it was always there nibbling at her soul. Feeding on her since her mothers death, leaving an empty hole in the center of her being. Willow had begun to fill that place, to heal her with a love that brought both constancy and light.
Tara was prepared to let her go. She loved Willow so much that she wanted only her happiness. She sat in that night preparing for her sacrifice, knowing soon that Willow would come...and soon she did.
Tara felt the presence before she heard the knock. Burying her head in her knees she took in a final gulp of air steeling herself for what was to come. 'I must be strong,' she told herself rising to walk to the door, 'I must be strong for her.'
Willow stood with a candle, the light bouncing off her face highlighting her beauty. Tara's heart warmed and ached, she longed to reach out, to enfold Willow in her arms. She felt frozen, mute, numb. Willow was talking now but Tara could hardly hear. Willow's words had no sound against the screaming of Tara's breaking heart. Tara fought to squeeze out her words, her release of Willow. Blinded, she waited to hear what she knew would come, she waited for the blow of Willow's choice.
The candle flickered casting an eerie light on them both, showing them, revealing them. Willow looked into Tara's eyes and said the words.
"I am."
Tara's mind vibrated in recognition, her pulse quickened hearing the words that cut through the fog of her misery.
"You mean?" Tara was not yet sure she believed what she was hearing.
"I mean. Okay?"
"Oh yes" she breathed feeling her heart light. 'Me, she chose me.'
Willow was talking again, looking lovingly into Tara's eyes. Tara was struggling to the surface, trying to believe the truth in what was happening. She somehow answered Willow and blew out the candle which she vaguely remembered Willow offering earlier. It was all so surreal, she longed to feel her body again in this growing safety. She stood waiting unsure of what to do or say next, she was waiting for some part of her to engage. She was floating above the pain, soaring on the feeling of Willow there with her. How could it be that she was so close to the abyss only to be wrenched away by Willow's gentle words and a little candlelight.
Tara felt Willow take the candle from her grasp. As Willow bent and placed it on the floor next to them, Tara held her breath. The tension was beginning to dissipate as Tara watched Willow rise and felt the touch of Willow's cool fingers on her cheek.
"Tara..." Willow whispered "my Tara...I'm so sorry."
Tara turned and kissed the palm of the hand now cupping her face. She had no words as she was full, flooded, stalled. She could not think of the irony of the two of them there in the dark together. Together in the place where moments before Tara had surrendered her heart to live always alone, but now Willow had returned to light their way.
Another hand joined the first. Willow was holding Tara's face trying to draw her back in. "I love you Tara....I love you" she repeated emphatically.
Willow pressed her mouth to Tara's promising the truth in her words. Tara kissed her back fervently trying to ignore the cracks forming in the walls around her heart. She felt the pain begin to seep out as Willow's love tried to reach in. Tara reached for the strength to push it back yet again.
Willow was kissing her harder now and Tara could not help but respond. She was opening mutely, desperately grasping at Willow, hungry for her, hungry for them. Willow sensed Tara's need and pulled her closer, wrapping her in her arms and rocking her gently. Willow reached up and began to stroke Tara's hair. Tara had no idea that she could feel such pain and passion at the same time. She tugged at Willow pulling her closer, glancing her teeth off Willow's lips in the process.
Willow moaned and began to pull Tara towards the bed. Tara touched Willow's face, stroking her cheek. Willow found Tara's neck and throat, Tara's eyes closed involuntarily at the contact.
Willow continued to move Tara slowly, seeking her goal. She pushed Tara back onto the bed and then crawled on herself dropping her clogs in the process. Tara laid back her head on the pillow as Willow moved into her side and propped herself up on one elbow. Draping a leg over Tara's thigh Willow leaned in to examine Tara's face. Her fingers found their mark as she gently stroked them over Tara's brows, lips, and cheeks.
Tara needing more complete contact began to pull at Willow trying to draw her into her arms.
Willow's fingers left the face and dropped down to slide across Tara's stomach landing on her side to aide in pulling her closer so she and Tara could move more intimately together. Wrapping herself around Willow Tara clung to her, balling the fabric of her shirt into her fists.
Willow loved this new place. She loved the feel of Tara's want mistaking her growing desperation for passion. She found Tara's mouth yet again and kissed her deeply, pouring all her love into that sweet place.
Tara was breaking apart. She was losing the battle of control and was feeling a wave of anguish grow stronger inside her. She pulled Willow tighter trying to bury herself in the sensation of Willow's mouth and tongue. She wanted to hide in Willow's body, burrowing down, seeking safety there.
Willow began to kiss her way across Tara's cheek to the curve of her neck. Finding a place to nuzzle and rest, she began to worry it with her lips and tongue. "I love you, I love you, I love you" she purred into the tender skin.
Tara was coming unhinged now, a wave of sorrow pursuing her. The more she relaxed, the more she felt, the more she enjoyed, the more she released. Old wounds were blocking new joys. Willow's love was breaking her open, setting free her demons which were rising closer and closer to the surface.
She tried to say Willow's name but couldn't. She wanted to warn Willow but did not know how. She was quickly losing control, weakening with every kiss and caress.
Willow paused in her kisses...something was happening. She stilled her mouth and felt Tara's heartbeat on her lips. As she did she realized that something had shifted. Tara was still clutching her tightly but had become slower in her movements. Tara was hanging on, she was almost inert. Her breathing was erratic and there was a tension growing in her body.
Willow froze waiting, wondering what Tara wanted, what she needed, what she would do. Tara swallowed hard, then Willow felt the wetness on her cheek. Tara took in a huge breath of air and made a small noise turning herself to hide her face in Willow's hair.
Willow was confused and frightened. Tara had begun to cry, hard. Huge waves racked her body as she shook in Willow's arms, pouring out her grief into Willow's neck.
Willow felt panic rise in her throat. Guilt stung her and she too began to cry. Together they lay like that, tears flowing freely weeping one into the other.
Willow was the first to stop, feeling some relief from the pain of the last 24 hours. As she continued to hold Tara she began to feel her more clearly and completely. Opening her heart she began to realize that she was not the cause of Tara's tears, the catalyst perhaps but not the cause. She understood now, tightening her arms to take Tara in. Willow became a vessel for Tara's pain. No longer fighting against the sadness she let Tara cry until there were no more tears and Tara became limp, relaxing in Willow's loving embrace.
Willow moved now rubbing Tara's back to comfort, reminding her that she was there. Tara made a small sound against Willow's throat and flattened her palms against Willow's back releasing her shirt.
"W-W-Willow...I'm.."
"Shhh" Willow whispered cradling her "it's okay."
"I-I-I'm s-s-sorry W-W-Willow."
"Shhh" Willow said again "I know, I understand."
Tara sniffed needing to blow her nose...she was very tired. Willow rolled her gently onto her back and stretched over her to reach the nightstand. She watched as Tara blew her nose and moved to stroke the hair out of her face.
"I love you Tara."
"I love you W-W-Willow...so m-m-much."
"Shhh love, relax, its okay now."
Tara reached out to touch Willow's face.
"Not quite w-w-what you expected, huh?" said Tara forcing a smile.
"Actually if you think about it...it should be expected after all we've been through...I needed it too."
"It wasn't just you Willow"
"I know that, well I know that now, once I could calm down enough to feel you I understood."
Tara pulled Willow down into a kiss.
"We needed this" Willow said looking into Tara's eyes. "Come here" she said rolling onto to her back and pulling Tara into her shoulder.
"I don't want you to think I don't want you Willow" Tara sighed sleepily running a hand over Willow's torso.
"I know" Willow said smiling "but first things first."
Tara nestled into Willow. "I love you" she whispered.
"And I love you...." Willow stroked Tara's hand now resting on her stomach,"rest now baby...we have all the time in the world."
And so they did....with that....they slept.
************************************************************************Next Chapter....next week: Chapter 9 Angels and Goddesses.
Whew, that was a rough one.
Athame.
Edited by: Blue Athame 1 at: 7/2/02 5:30:35 am