Yes, I know, about time right? Hehe, well here you go Kittens. Hope you enjoy the light and barely there angst while you can… soon, things are about to get… not so happy. OH! Hello BTW! 
*muah*CindyThank you for being patient and letting me take my time. *hugs*
Urn:Such a sweetie you are.
I'm glad you are liking this, I know it's a little different from NANLT, but I like to balance things out. Thank you so much for reading.
Title: Tainted
Author: Holly a.k.a Taras Shadow
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, WB, ME, UPN, and other characters belong to me.
Feedback: Yes please, everything is welcome
Pairings: W/T- eventually.
Rating: PG – NC 17. I will give fair warning a head of time.
Summary:
AU Tara loses people she loves at a young age. Now learning to live with the one person she cannot stand is going to be challenging…until she meet’s another one like her…but can they see eye to eye and help each other through life’s demanding ways…
~Part 5b~ …Somewhere my heart lies**~~~~**~~~~**~~~***
“I just think it’s a good idea if we find out why exactly she ran away.” Mr. Summers said quietly in the kitchen around lunchtime.
“Maybe so, but listen,” Anna grabbed his hand. “There is something much bigger going on here. I can’t just tell her that she has to leave. Her and Buffy are friends now. She…in a way, she’s family.”
Mr. Summers sat down at the table and took off his glasses. “I know sweetie, and I don’t want you to ask her to leave, I want to help too, but I’m just saying, maybe we should try and get some more information on her…she’s hurting and we really have no clue why.”
Anna sighed and set down her glass. “You’re right…” She whispered looking out towards the window. < She’s lost, she’s in pain… she’s suffering… and I have to help her, she’s my daughter… >
**~~~~**~~~~**~~~***
“That took us like…forever.” Willow moaned throwing herself on Tara’s bed.
They had spent their day cleaning out the warehouse, making it at least a little liveable in. Throwing wood and junk out back of the place. Getting the mattress there was interesting, Willow held onto it while Tara pulled the wagon. They did make trips back and forth, so it was a busy day for them.
“Yes well you need that place to be Willow friendly.” Tara smiled, sitting next to where Willow’s body was spread out on the bed, whose face was in the mattress muffling her voice.
Willow turned her head and looked at the blonde, “What about Tara friendly?” She asked.
Tara grinned and stretched herself out beside the red head. “If you want your place Tara friendly.”
“Oh but I do.” Willow rolled onto her side and placed her hand one the small of Tara’s back. “So… I guess I should um… pack my duffle bag and hit the streets huh?”
Tara ducked her head a bit, biting her bottom lip. “You could always… stay here for another night.”
Willow sat up and walked over to the dresser looking in the mirror at her reflection. She never liked the way she looked; her red hair always seemed to be the target of her harassments. Scrunching up her nose, she tucked her long red hair behind her ear. “Tare…what do you think? Should I dye my hair black?”
“Why would you want to dye your hair black? It’s beautiful the colour it is.” Tara frowned slightly, the mood in Willow seemed to have changed suddenly.
“Riiight, carrot top is such a lovely name.” Willow snorted. “Besides, black would totally suit me… don’t you think?”
“Will… you look beautiful the way you are.” Tara sat up and ran her fingers through her own hair. “Why do you want to change that?”
Willow studied herself a bit more before turning back to face the blonde. “First of all, red hair?”
“Yeah, and?” Tara got up and wrapped her arms around the slim waist of Willow. “I happen to love your red hair.” She whispered.
“You do?” Willow asked resting her cheek against Tara’s.
“I do.”
“Well then, maybe I should leave my hair for now.” The red head broke gently from the warm embrace and began to pack her bag. “I know you want me to stay another night Tare… but I should get into the new place before it gets taken.”
Tara nodded silently walking towards the door. “I’ll be down stairs, I’ll tell my mom I’m going to walk you…home.”
Willow watched the blonde disappear out the door before turning out back to the mirror. She ran her fingers through her hair. “I guess I can live with this…for now.”
**~~~~**~~~~**~~~***
Tray-Al peered through each store window as her, Buffy, Cordelia and Xander walked down a bust street in L.A. She smiled when she found the perfect store Tara would love. “You know, Tara would love this place.” She said to whoever was listening.
“She’s into vintage and antique stuff huh.” Xander smiles standing beside the blonde peering in with her.
“Yes, she would’ve dragged me in there by now, making me look at each of the items and clothing.” Tray grinned, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“We can go in if you like.” The teenage boy said sincerely. “I wouldn’t mind browsing around. I mean, if you want, I’d keep you company while the other girls go off and check out way over priced items.”
Tray-Al loved the way Xander made her feel a part of the group. Even though it’s only been a couple of days, she felt like she belonged. “No, it’s ok. I know where this is now, so I can always check it out later.”
“Ok, cause you know, I really don’t mind. But if you want to go with Buff and Cordy to that ‘Perfection Clothes’ store…” He smiled when Tray bit her bottom lip. She wasn’t that much of a shopping fan to begin with, and she hated over priced clothing.
“Sure, let’s head in here for a bit.” Tray grinned.
“Ladies, Tray and I are going in here for a bit. We’ll catch up with you later.” Xander said to the other girls.
“Great, we can meet at the pizza place for lunch in about an hour.” Buffy waved as she looped arms with Cordelia and headed down the street.
“So tell me about yourself.” Xander casually said as they stepped inside the trendy store.
“Not much to know really, my dad and step-mom were killed in a car accident, my sister is living with my mom back in New York, and I’m here…because I decided that if I did stay in New York… I’d end up going crazy and join a cult or something.”
“Wow, can’t be that bad.” Xander said.
“Oh yeah? That’s only half of it. Besides, I really like it here. Mr. and Mrs. Summers have been so good to me, welcoming with open arms. Plus you know, I wouldn’t have met you or Cordy.” Tray-Al hid her blush a bit behind her hair. She felt a little better knowing that she wasn’t the only one blushing. “And Buffy,” she laughed a little, “She’s just been so nice and wonderful. We stay up at night and talk about stuff, boys, and stuff. Like my sister and I used to do, except she never really talked about boys that much…”
“Can I take you out sometime?” Xander blurted out. He backed off a bit and blinked realizing what he just asked.
Tray looked at him intently, trying to read his expression. “Sure.” She simply said, smiling.
“Really?” The young man asked, blinking again and shaking his head to try and see if he heard right.
“Yes, really.”
Xander smiled proudly. He was ready for rejection, but when Tray said sure, he was completely knocked off his feet. “Great…thank you.”
“No thanks needed. I’m kind of curious to see where you’d take me. Something tells me you’re the romantic type.” Tray-Al smiled and turned to look at a small jewellery box embedded with red ruby’s. “Oh wow, look at this, it’s so pretty,” she looked at the price tag, “and very expensive.”
Xander was in his glory; he had an actual date with a beautiful blonde. He finally gets to use his romantic abilities. “You never know, it could be in the your reach soon.”
**~~~~**~~~~**~~~***
“Tara?” Belinda called as she heard the front door open. “Where are you going?”
“To walk Willow home, I already told you that earlier.” Tara said with slight annoyance in her voice.
“Right. Be back before dark.”
“Bye Belinda.” Willow yelled. Belinda peeked her head around the kitchen corner and smiled before going back to read the newspaper. “Thanks.” The red head said as her and Tara walked out of the house.
They got across the last bridge before they hit the warehouse. “Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?” Tara asked sincerely.
“It’s going to be new, a new life and challenge for me. I’m absolutely sure.” She stopped and looked at Tara. “Besides, where else am I going to go? There is no way I’m going back to the shelter, I cannot go home because hello, I don’t have a home, and you know I will not over stay my welcome. I mean, thank you for letting me stay with you Tare, I really appreciated that, but I just can’t over stay my welcome, so this place is great.”
Tara sighed and played with the sleeve on Willow’s baggy sweater. “Will, there’s a lot to think about here. Like… do you have money to support yourself?”
“Tara, stop worrying ok? I’ll be fine.” Willow pulled Tara in for a hug before taking her hand and began to walk towards the warehouse.
It was a fairly big place, and they spent the whole day cleaning it up. Now Willow had a bed with sheets and blankets, and a sitting area, and Tara gave her an old stereo that wasn’t being used. Both teenagers were surprised to find that electricity still worked.
“I should go. Are you…” Tara started but Willow’s two fingers covered her mouth.
“Stop that.” The red head smiled and traced the full lips before taking her hand away. “Just…go, I’ll see you around.” She whispered.
“Here, take this,” Tara handed Willow a bundle of cash.
“Whoa, where the hell did you get this?” Willow looked at it more closely.
“M…My mom…kind of. It’s three hundred dollars.”
“What?!?” Willow looked at the blonde with a quizzed look. “Three hundred? Isn’t that a bit much?”
“Yeah, I kind of stole it.” The blondes voice was barely audible.
“You stole this? Tara, isn’t that a bit much for someone not to notice?” Willow’s voice softened a bit and handed the cash back.
“No!” Tara hid her hands behind her back. “Willow, just take it ok? I promise you Belinda won’t notice. I know this. So please…just keep it?”
Willow considered it for a moment. She figured if the blonde did get into any trouble, she’d simply take the blame. “Thanks. I’ll use it wisely.” Willow brushed her lips against Tara’s soft ones. “Now you go home, before you get into trouble and it gets dark.”
Tara looked at Willow and realized the red head had made up her mind and that she will actually be happy living here in the warehouse. “See you around right?”
“Try and get rid of me blondie.” Willow smirked.
**~~~~**~~~~**~~~***
~Holly~
"I will make me a willow cabin at your gate and call upon my soul within the house.” *whispers*
“I rush into the secret house." - Pauline -
Lost and Delirious
by Leila DeRange » Sat Dec 21, 2002 12:46 pm 
Kiss!! 
and 
with the 
is totally awww.
Off to try and work on the other fic now. Enjoy! 
HI!! *pounces and hugs* I loved the update. So, a wagon huh....*snort* okies...lol
Anywya, I hope you get more up soon. ttyl
....
Poor Tara...it's like all the people in her life that she love just disappear. 
And the whole thing with Anna being Tray-Al's and Tara's mom...nice little twist there...I would have to say though...it has me thinking now. 
She´s so cute!!!
, 
, 
, 
, and Chellychel
at: 1/15/03 2:01:07 pm
But I guess it is a little soon for Willow.
