Danie, 
Well, you still got that image in my head. Thank you, very much, BTW.
I could handle many of those images.
Hey, sorry I didn't send part 7, the beginning anyway, to you to beta. Let me know if you find any mistakes, and I'll edit it. K? I just wanted to get it posted.
Can you even twiddle your thumbs while typing? LOL
TTYS, D.
Title: Eyes Of The Soul
Author: Jennifer
Copyright © 2002 by Jennifer Johnson Disclaimers: All characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. This is solely for my entertainment. Please do not copyright this story.
Pairings: W/T, X/A
Spoilers: Season 6. This is set after Seeing Red, but Tara never dies at the hands of Warren. The rest is just my own creativity. Oh, and Giles never left.
Summary: Tara is missing, or so the Scoobies think. What will happen when they find her?
Rating: PG-12?
My Thanks: To Sam (Blue77) and Danie. Thanks for being my betas and for helping me out with all the suggestions. You truly are gifted for writing, both of you. I hope you continue to do so.
And Danie, don’t forget the catnip.
Author's Notes: This is my first attempt at writing Buffy fan fiction, so please tell me what you think. I usually write fan fiction for ER. I apologize for the heavy subject of W/T angst in this story, especially after what has happened to Tara. These thoughts have been floating around in my brain lately and I just wanted to see if I could turn them into a story. Willow and Tara
WILL have a happy ending, if that helps. Let’s just hope we get that on the show. Some of the inspiration for this came from
“Unexpected Consequences” Lisa’s a genius. Thanks for your story Lisa.
Eyes Of The Soul: Chapter 6/?
By: Jennifer
Buffy’s slayer hearing was one of her many prized possessions, next to her strength and speed. She relied on it. She had to. Her hearing allowed her to pick up on things easier than most humans could ever dream of.
In the back of her mind she could have sworn she heard something approaching from behind. Turning around from her perch on the new headstone, all Buffy could see were the various other graves and the bushes guarding the property. And unless one of the cement stones was high tech and could make sounds, than there was nothing to look for.
With a soft sigh, Buffy turned back around and sat patiently awaiting the arrival of what would probably be many new vamps tonight.
Tara saw her moment and took it. Very slowly and gingerly, she approached her friend. Her paws made as little noise as possible. When she reached the head stone Buffy was resting upon, she purred. It was a deep throaty, praise.
It wasn’t the affectionate noise that caught the slayer’s attention, however. When she felt something brush past her, she spun, her slaying instincts kicking in over drive. The stake was raised in the air and just about to make contact with Tara’s back, when Buffy realized what had touched her.
The fast movement startled Tara and her first gut feeling, her first
‘human’ reaction, was to cower. So that’s what she did.
Buffy heard the somewhat loud thud, as the Jaguar fell over on it’s side and exposed it’s tummy to the night air; completely taking on a submissive pose. The blonde lowered her stake slowly and kept her eyes locked on the cat.
Taking a chance, Tara tilted her head up and caught the gaze of her friend. She once again sympathized with her.
‘I’m sorry, Buffy.’ Tara wished this could reach the slayers ears, but that wasn’t possible.
Buffy was somewhat frozen. Her pupils enlarged and her breathing erratic.
‘Calm down, just stay calm, it’s not gonna hurt you… right?’ As Buffy stared into the soft blue eyes of the feline, a calming filled her senses. She felt peaceful. Somehow in the back of her heart, she knew she was safe. This creature of the night, didn’t want to harm her.
Tara remained perfectly still. Her stomach remained poised in the air, eyes locked with Buffy’s.
The slayer drew in a deep breath and exhaled before pushing off the cold cement and slipping her stake into the pocket of her jacket. She kneeled a few steps away from the animal, not quite sure of what to do. As she peered on at the cat, she thought back to her conversation with Willow. Now that she was actually here and in front of this great feline, she was regretting her decision of telling the redhead that she couldn’t come with her. “Willow should be here… she would just love to see you, kitty.”
The Jaguar’s body stiffened and rolled over immediately at the mention of the redhead. Tara then sat right in front of Buffy, staring into her green eyes. Her ears twitched with anticipation.
The blonde was quickly aware of the change in the cat’s demeanor. It was now sitting poised as if in expectance of something. She just tilted her head and studied the creature very carefully. “What? I don’t know what you want, kitty.” Buffy was confused.
Tara lifted her right paw and rested it on the slayers knee. Her eyes saddened and she lowered her head, but kept eye contact with the girl in front of her.
Buffy knew or thought it was trying to tell her something, but it was beyond her comprehension. “I don’t know what you want. I don’t understand.” The paw on her knee lifted and then made contact again, as the cat’s eyes pleaded, a visible tear streaking its fur.
As the blonde opened her mouth to say something, Buffy heard a noise behind her. She spun her head to see her long awaited vamp starting to rise. Quickly jumping to her feet, the slayer took her stance, stake ready for action.
Tara’s eyes turned cold as she watched the vamp. Her stomach started to feel queasy and she felt a sudden need to growl with fury. She took a step closer to Buffy, a piercing growl rattled her chest and presented itself to the night.
The vamp snarled as it rose to its feet. He was still somewhat dazed, but he didn’t let that faze him. He went after Buffy, catching her off guard as she looked back at the cat. The young vampire struck the blonde across the face and she stumbled back.
Tara’s protective instincts rose within her; the Jaguar’s feral nature awakening and taking over, as she roared a deadly growl and charged at the vamp.
He tried to side step the cat, but failed.
The great cat pounced and sunk its claws into the vamp’s chest as they hit the ground with a loud thud.
The soulless creature yowled in pain as the cat attacked and with a swipe of its claws, the vampire was decapitated. Its ashes showered the ground seconds later.
The ashes played with Tara’s nostrils, making her sneeze as she grunted and ran over to her friend.
Buffy had fallen over when the inexperienced vamp hit her. She was propped up on her elbows and watched the cat as it approached.
Tara stepped next to the girl, her nose mere inches from the blonde’s, much like it was when they first encountered each other.
The slayer reached up and petted the Jaguars head. “Thank you… I owe you one, kitty.” With a grunt, Buffy finally stood and brushed off her clothes. She pulled a leaf from her hair and let it flutter to the ground. “I should go, girl.” Buffy said, scratching Tara’s ears one more time.
Tara stepped back and looked up at the young woman before her, tail tucked. She blinked at her and then turned and ran into the bushes.
“Alright… this is just too weird. Time for Giles to get… Gilesy.” Buffy turned and hightailed it out of the cemetery.
Staying out of sight, the Jaguar followed the slayer. At this moment Tara didn’t care if she was supposed to be heading back to her cage. She knew Amy would be pissed and she was likely to be punished, but she needed to get home,
‘Home to my family, to Willow. My Willow. I’m coming home, darling.’*****
“Where is she? She’s supposed to be back by now.” The brunette witch said angrily. She paced in the small room. “I never should have let her out of that cage.” The girl stopped pacing and walked over to the corner of the room behind the stairs that lead out of the basement. Opening a door that led to a small room, she stepped in.
After flipping on a light, the witch spoke. “She has disobeyed me. You said she never would, that she had a loving soul and would surrender to any threats.” Walking forward, she stopped in front of a figure lying slumped over on the floor. “You lied to me.” The witch raised her palm and energy crackled over her fingers, before it shot out and flowed into the girl on the floor; she screamed in pain.
“No!” It was the only word the girl could speak, curling up into a fetal position and clutching her chest.
“Now… time for you to pay attention little girl.” The witch ordered.
Feeling the pain subside, the young woman backed up and pushed herself to the wall, sitting finally. She still held a hand to her chest and kept her eyes on the other form before her. Blinking her eyes, the young woman watched as the witch changed forms; morphing from a young brunette, identical to herself, to an older and scruffier male form.
“Are you ready to help me?” He asked.
“Yes,” Amy said. Her head was now pounding with pain and she was feeling lightheaded.
“Let’s pay strawberry a visit.” He grinned evilly, energy still crackling on his hands.
Amy knew she couldn’t argue. She would only be subjected to more magical torture, but what Rack didn’t know was her only defense. “Okay,” she said. Her eyes closed briefly when she felt a warm liquid trickle over her lip. Wiping her face, she looked at her hand. Her fingers were streaked with blood from her nose. Lifting her gaze back up to the warlock, he smiled dangerously at her.
‘How do I do this? I have to help Willow and warn her, but how?’Puzzled, Amy just closed her eyes and rested her head back on the wall. Her mind floating with hundreds of possibilities, but only one out come; Tara. Tara was the only way to help Willow and keep her from harm, but if Amy helped her escape then Rack would come after her and she would suffer his torment for betraying him.
‘I don’t care. I have to help her,’ she vowed as she watched Rack leave the room in a shimmy of black energy. “…But, how do I get out of here?” Amy frowned. She would find a way.
*****
Buffy finally approached her house. As she stumbled in the door breathlessly from running, her eyes landed on her watcher. He was sitting in a chair talking to Xander and Anya. Pushing the door closed, she pulled her jacket off and draped it over the railing on the stairs.
“Hey, guys,” she said entering the room and collapsing in the chair across from her friends.
“Hey, Buff. How was the slayage?” Xander had his arm draped around Anya’s shoulders.
“One vamp, one slay… although, I didn’t do the slaying part,” she said remembering back to the event.
“Then who did?” Anya asked, a confused expression on her face.
“The cat did.” Buffy’s voice hinted that, that fact should have been obvious.
“Are you quite alright?” Giles sat forward in his chair, leaning his elbows on his knees as he eyed his slayer. “You weren’t injured were you?” his fear was apparent in his eyes.
“No, I’m fine.” She assured him. “Giles, it protected me again. This is really starting to make me confused gal. Why does it keep doing that?” She asked him, under the assumption that he would just hold all the answers.
“I don’t know. I’m afraid I don’t have any new theories since earlier.” The watcher was clearly disappointed in him self.
“Well, is it…” Anya was about to ask a question, but then she paused. She looked around the room. “Did you hear that?”
“Hear what, An?” Xander looked at her curiously.
“It was like a scratching noise.” She stopped. “There it is again.” The ex-demon followed the noise with her ears. Standing, she walked towards the stairs. That’s when she knew for sure she wasn’t just hearing things. Anya spun around and stared at the front door. “It’s coming from the door, outside.”
Buffy got up and walked to the door, looking out the glass at the top of the doorframe. “I don’t see anything,” she jumped, startled, when the noise beckoned them again. “There’s something out there.” She said surprised.
“Well, duh… I just said that, but forbid you ever listen to and believe the ex-demon. I mean, what do I know. I’ve only been around for over 1,000 years.” She huffed.
“An, calm down. We didn’t say we didn’t believe you.” Xander said, stepping up beside his girlfriend. “Did we, Buff?”
“Huh? No… sorry Anya.” Her ears perked up at the scratching again. “There it is again.” Buffy bravely grabbed onto the door handle.
“What’s goin’ on guys?” Willow said from the top of the stairs.
“I don’t know. There’s a scratcher thingy, scratching the door from outside.” Xander said, his eyes wide with wonder.
“A scratcher? Well… what is it?” Willow slowly descended down the stairs, stopping when she stood on the third step from the floor.
“How are you, Willow?” Giles asked in his best paternal voice, as he approached the stairwell.
Finally closing the distance to the floor, she walked over and stood beside him. Her eyes were enough to answer his inquiry. They were puffy and bloodshot from crying. Her nose was reddened as well. She just looked at him, her heart aching for guidance and relief from her sadness.
“Oh, Willow… I’m sorry. It will be alright.” Giles pulled the young woman to him, embracing her tightly.
Willow just clung to him. He was one of the only ones, besides Tara, who could mend her worries and she depended on him like any daughter would her father. “I love you, Giles.”
The watcher didn’t hesitate before answering back. “I love you, too, Willow. I promise you…” He pulled back, putting a hand on each side of her face to look her in the eyes, “…I will always be here for you. You are my daughter, you know.” He said proudly.
Everyone had grown silent, not wanting to interrupt their moment, but it hadn’t stopped the noise from outside, which was growing louder by the minute.
“This is all moving and special and all, but… that noise isn’t going away. Something’s still out there.” Buffy said before being cut off by Anya, who had just gasped loudly.
“What, what is it?” Xander asked her. She was staring wide eyed at the door.
The ex-demon just pointed at the small window on the doorframe. They all followed her finger and then gasped alike when they saw what she was looking at.
Anya sighed and then inhaled sharply again. “See… I told you that was appropriate,” remarking her sigh.
“Holy moly, schpedoinkle…” the young man spit out. “Golly look!”
“Oh my God. It’s the cat. It must have followed me home.” Buffy exclaimed, as she watched the cat drop out of sight. The slayer reached for the doorknob again and started to turn it.
“What are you doing?” Xander’s voice was full of fear.
“I’m going outside,” she answered matter of factly.
“…But the big scary killer cat!” The construction worker pointed out. “Is it safe? It can’t be very safe.”
“Guys, I’ll be fine. I can’t explain it, but I know she won’t hurt me. Now… I’m going out there,” her tone hinting no fear.
“She… who’s she?” The young man was confused.
“The cat. It’s a girl, a female.” The slayer remarked and went back to the task of opening the door and then paused. She turned to Willow. “Will, come outside with me.” She offered.
“What? But, the kitty?” She said questioningly
“It won’t hurt you.” Buffy promised.
Willow looked at Giles, who had a very worried-Giles expression on his face.
“Buffy, I don’t think that’s a rather good idea. It could be dangerous. I know it hasn’t harmed you, but we don’t know how it will react to others, other than yourself.” He stepped closer to the blonde.
“Giles, I want to. I wanna see the kitty. Please?” Willow’s eyes pleaded with his. Something was pulling her to do this. She didn’t know what, but it was a very strong feeling of need.
He peered on at her briefly, before pulling off his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose. “Alright… but if you sense any immediate danger, what so ever, promise me you’ll come back inside?” He conditioned.
“I promise,” she said with her resolve face intact. Willow stepped up behind Buffy, as the blonde opened the door and they carefully slipped out. The redhead gripped the back of the slayer’s shirt for protection.
“Oh, boy.” Xander said. He stumbled backwards and sat down on the stairs, resting his head on the railing. “Wake me when that thing turns them into Willuffy soup.” He said before passing out.
*****
End of part 6
This next part is really short. I apologize for that. And it’s not beta’d. If you find any mistakes, please let me know. I just wanted to get this posted, for all of you who were looking forward to this. I don’t know when I’ll have the rest of this chapter written. My life is kinda crazy right now, since starting a new job, but I’ll try to have more soon. Hope you like this.
Eyes Of The Soul: Chapter 7a/?
By: Jennifer
Tara stood proudly on the sidewalk leading to Buffy’s porch, her eyes fixated on the door. She stood waiting to see if anyone would answer her callings.
‘Oh Goddess, what am I gonna do? What if they don’t come o-out here? W-what if I s-scare them? That’s the l-last thing I want t-to do.’ Tara stretched her tired body out on the ground, resting her head on the bottom step of the stairs.
‘Just r-relax Tara. Everything will be fine. Oh, Willow… I need you baby.’ She sighed before curling up into a ball. At this point she didn’t care if anyone saw her. The Jaguars body was the last of her worries. All she wanted was Willow.
*****
Buffy discretely motioned for Willow to be quiet as they calmly slinked out the door and went outside.
The redhead froze when her eyes landed on the curled up figure of the cat. “Are you sure it’s not gonna make a Willow happy meal out of me?” She whispered.
“Just stay close to me, but stay behind me. You’ll be fine,” Buffy promised, as she cautiously inched her way forward.
Willow was still frozen; she couldn’t convince her legs to move if her life depended on it. “Be careful, Buffy,” she warned.
The blonde turned her head back towards the house. “It’s okay, Will. Come on.”
Willow just shook her head and took a step back.
When the Slayer neared the top step, the Jaguar’s ears perked up and she raised her head. ‘Buffy,’ Tara said in her mind.
Buffy crouched down and cooed, “Hey Kitty. You weren’t supposed to follow me.” Her tone was curious, but somewhat playful.
Tara stayed on the ground, but crawled forward as she inched up the steps until she reached Buffy.
“Buffy!” Willow squeaked.
Disregarding her best friend’s protest, the girl reached her right hand forward and scratched Tara’s ears. “These are becoming regular visits… you and me and the slaying gig,” she laughed softly. Buffy turned her head again and eyed Willow. “Wanna pet the kitty? She smiled.
Tara watched the blonde turn her head the other way and that’s when she looked past Buffy and her eyes fell upon,
‘Willow… darling!’ As if forgetting that she was still in her feral form, Tara quickly scampered up the stairs toward her target.
Willow squealed when she saw the cat approaching her. Her love for cats slipping her mind as the animal closed in on her. Backing up as far as she could, she bumped into the wall, her eyes wide with fear. “Don’t eat me!” She begged, before sliding down the wall. She didn’t take her eyes off the cat.
Tara’s heart shattered, watching her soulmate cower.
‘I’m not gonna hurt you, baby.’ Her eyes saddened, her movement halting.
When the cat reached out in it’s mind, Willow somehow had heard it. They connected. The redhead’s brow crinkled, her expression softening. “Tara?”
The Jaguar lifted its head and stared at the girl.
‘Willow?’Willow’s eyes brimmed with tears, the realization hitting her. This cat that she had been afraid of, is Tara. Her soul would recognize her lover’s presence anywhere. “Tara, baby?” She pushed herself onto her knees and stared into the feline’s eyes.
“Will?” Confusion was Buffy’s only companion. She didn’t understand what was going on.
Tara stepped closer, somewhat fearful of getting too close without Willow’s permission.
‘Will, it’s me. Baby, please…’ she pleaded. Stepping forward, she went the rest of the way to her love, immediately rubbing into her chest, nuzzling her. If the other girl hadn’t been on the ground already, she would have been knocked over.
Pulling away, Willow searched those blue eyes that she would know anywhere. Only this time, they were larger then when she had last peered into them. “Buffy… this
IS… Tara,” her body started to shake as her floodgates opened. Falling forward, she wrapped her arms around the cat, squeezing tightly.
Buffy was utterly taken aback by that, “Who-the-where-the-what? Wanna run that by me again?” She stared at her best friend, who was still hysterically crying.
Tara affectionately licked the redhead’s face several times, before nuzzling her skin. Her body pushed closer to the other girl’s, until she was ultimately sitting in her lap.
‘Darling, I missed you. I love you.’ Calmly she dropped her head onto Willow’s shoulder and just sat still, her ribcage rising and falling erratically.
As Willow ran her hands down the cat’s back, her tears began to calm somewhat.
Buffy kneeled down in front of her, trying to make eye contact. “Will, what’s goin’ on?”
Opening her eyes, she looked into the Slayer’s. “She’s Tara,” is all she could manage, as a fresh batch of tears soaked her cheeks.
Buffy inched closer and ran her hand down the cat’s back, her eyes softening. When she spoke again, her voice was a whisper. “How?”
Willow shook her head, “I don’t know… but it’s her. She came back to me.” Her arms tightened around the black feline again.
Nuzzling the redhead’s neck and giving it a tender lick,
‘I’ll always come back to you, sweetie. Always,’ she promised, purring softly in the hacker’s ear.
“I know, baby,” Willow reassured.
Buffy was adjusting to this new information the best she could. It all made sense to her now. The cat protecting her, it’s gentle nature, and it’s devotion. Even now, in predator form, the gentle witch’s love for Willow was apparent. The way it nuzzled up to her and wouldn’t let go of the contact.
‘Oh, My God! That’s really is Tara,’ her conscious said over and over again.
The Slayer’s thoughts were interrupted when she heard Willow say,
‘I love you, too.’ Clearing her throat, “Is she talking to you?” She asked curiously.
The redhead lifted her head, “Yeah. I don’t know how, but she’s reaching out to me and we can hear each other. Remember a couple of nights ago when I went all freaky cause I heard her?”
“Yeah. I remember that,” Buffy answered.
“I knew I wasn’t goin’ looney,” Willow sighed.
‘You heard me?’ Tara continued to purr in her lover’s ear.
‘Yeah, baby. I did. Then I went all running around the house looking for you. That’s when I realized you were still alive and I didn’t have to worry anymore. I mean, I still worried cause you weren’t here, but I didn’t have to be all freak-o girl thinking you were…’ Willow said in her mind, but her babble was quickly cut off.
‘I’m still here, darling. I never left. I just wish I could get b-back to me again.’ Her thoughts saddened and she inched even closer to the redhead’s body.
‘We’ll get you turned back. We have to,’ Willow vowed, massaging Tara’s ears.
The feline laid down on her back between Willow’s legs. Her front left paw, pawing at the other girl. She tapped at her chest, but when she didn’t get the response she wanted, Tara pushed her paw at the girl’s hand.
This just made the computer hacker smile down at the cat. Her tears having calmed now, she was relieved and her heart was singing.
“She wants you to scratch her tummy,” Buffy pointed out.
No other words were necessary. Willow joyfully petted Tara’s velvet soft underside, her hands stroking back and forth from her chest down to her lower abdomen and back up.
Tara’s whole body seemed to come alive at Willow’s touch, her body shaking as she purred, making her chest sound like a car motor. Her soul was alive again.
“Can I?” Buffy asked, positioning her hand over the cat’s ears.
Willow beamed, “Sure.”
Smiling back, the Slayer’s feather light touch, ran over the Jaguar’s head. Buffy petted her and scratched her ears for a moment before pulling her hand away.
“Buffy, how did you know?” The redhead finally asked. “Did you know she was, Tara?”
“No, I didn’t. I just got this intuitive feeling that I was safe… that she wouldn’t hurt me. I understand now,” she thankfully admitted.
Tara pawed at Willow again. She had stopped her ministrations and the cat missed Willowhand.
Willow chuckled lightly at her lover before going back to her petting task.
Buffy stood up and stretched her legs. “You know… I’m gonna go back in. Why don’t you spend some alone time with her? I’ll be inside if you need anything.”
“Okay, Buffy. Thank you.” Willow didn’t take her eyes from Tara’s gaze. Now, the only challenge lying in her way was figuring out how this all happened and how to change it back. “It’s gonna be okay, Tara. We’ll figure this out.” She promised.
Tara flipped over and curled into the other girl, laying her head against the warmth of her stomach.
The redhead had so many questions for her partner, but neither one of them wanted to break the moment they were sharing. Willow glided her hand over Tara’s chest as she relaxed back against the wall. Tears of relief found her cheeks and slithered their way to freedom. Tara was home, that’s all that mattered to Willow.
‘I love you, my Tara.’ ‘And I love YOU, my Willow,’ she nuzzled in closer to her stomach. Her large nostrils taking in the scent she knew by heart.
*****
TBC
There you go. Sorry it took so long to get to this point. I hope it was okay. More
goodness to come in the next update.
-----------------------------------
"It's good to be a chicken casserole," Tara murmured before passing out. -from "Answering Darkness" by Sassette
“That’s like, two drinks and a light switch away from being totally gay.” Joel from "Final Exam" by Ruth
Edited by: Jennpurr at: 6/9/02 8:54:17 pm
by fidds » Sat Jun 01, 2002 1:29 pm 
I appreciate it. 
Don't worry, she'll find her Tara soon. 
(Which is a good thing, and makes me read it again...which I have to say isn't a bad thing at all...)
