Fic: No More

[pikescoob]

I'm getting a little nervous for Tara....time is ticking and I hope Beth isn't a light sleeper.



--Michelle

[mollyig]

Excellent work building up to the great escape. Beth's presence is unfortunate, hope it doesn't scupper Tara's plans.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[TheWhiz]

Fantastic part!! You are building up the tension extremely well. Fingers crossed that Tara's plan works without a hitch but my inner voice is telling me this won't be the case....

"I am a whiz...If ever a whiz there was"

[TwiLightJoy]

Stuff: So far, this chapter has been the most fun to write. I finished it last night, and I'm posting it kinda early coz I'm working nights now and won't get home until 1 am. Ew. Anyway, enjoy!



The Maclay family sat at the dinner table that evening. It all looked very nice and traditional, from the outside anyway. Mr. Maclay sat at the head of the table, while Beth and Donnie sat on either side of the rectangle, and finally Tara at the remaining end. This evening they didn’t have much choice but to go with leftovers, since Tara wasn’t feeling well enough to cook. Or so all they thought. Tara, therefore, had a cup of vegetable soup for her dinner, while everyone else had mashed potatoes, vegetables, dinner rolls, and various meats.



Beth had been welcomed by the men, which Tara had overheard through her bedroom door as they each arrived at the house. She had listened with pleasure to her cousin’s voice as she volunteered to get dinner together for the family. This consisted only of selecting a menu and reheating the plates, which was so easy that they really could have done it themselves, had Beth not been there.



Once she had a chance to step back from it, Tara was actually glad that Beth had arrived, since she filled in easily for Tara in the household help department. This meant that the attention was almost completely diverted away from the witch, so she had simply stayed in her room alone for most of the afternoon and evening, barring a slight interruption by Donnie when he had come home from school. He brought a small stack of folders, one from each of Tara’s classes. The office had sent for the classwork and homework the girl had missed from each of her classes, and sent it home with her brother at the end of the day. She looked the contents of the folders over without much regard until Donnie lost interest in watching her like a hawk scouting its next meal, and then set them on her nightstand once he left to talk to cousin Beth.



Now Tara sat uncomfortably at the end of the table, sipping her soup and water alternately as the rest of her family talked. Donnie went over the few standout moments of his day at school when prompted by his father, and Beth updated them all on news from her house. This encompassed everything from her mother’s health to the dog’s annual visit to the vet’s office, in a roundabout narrative. Beth’s parents would still be arriving as planned the day before Thanksgiving, and Beth would be going back with them after the holiday. Tara still didn’t know exactly why Beth had come ahead of time, because that part of the conversation had been pretty quiet, compared to the boisterous greetings she gave to cousin Donnie and her uncle.



Tara answered all questions she was directly asked, which luckily only included a short round about how she was feeling from her father, who seemed appeased by her stammered answers. Beth went over her plans for going shopping with Tara tomorrow afternoon, if she was feeling well enough, for her birthday gift. Donnie sported a smirk, as if he itched to say something insulting relating to Tara’s wardrobe, but thankfully refrained from comment. Mr. Maclay did mention that he thought Beth could provide a good influence on Tara, but didn’t add anything else in that direction. In short, they were on their best behavior, which in regards to the young Wiccan was still not very good.



After she finished her soup, Tara quietly asked to be excused from the table. Her father conceded and Tara took her dishes to the sink, then went back to her room, closing the door behind her as if it would keep the tension out. She was tired of being made to feel that she wasn’t good enough, that she was supposed to do everything for her father and brother. She refused to accept that all her life would be spent as a servant to the men of her family. She wouldn’t stand for it any more. If she thought and spoke for herself and expressed her wish to be independent, she would no longer be a punching bag for those same men who thought she was meant to be subordinate to them forever. She’d had enough. Hopefully, at least this last night would be quiet.



The sun was setting, and Tara sat in the west-facing window seat, watching as the light scattered into every color imaginable. The witch looked on in awe as the blue zenith darkened to a deep indigo, and her eyes traveled slowly down to the horizon, watching as the colors went from a bold blue to a molten yellow-gold to a blazing red. The handful of stratus clouds slowly changed from white edged in golden to pink-lined blue as the sun sank behind the hills. Each color melded seamlessly into the next, until they finally all faded out into the deep navy-indigo hue that most people saw as merely black.



The stars sprang back into visibility one by one, until thousands of sparkling pinpricks of light came into view. Tara watched every second of nature’s best light show, enjoying each moment, each different color, and every last star. It was, she noted, a new moon. How appropriate.



And thus the sun went down on what Tara Maclay hoped would be the last day under her father’s oppressive presence.

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[fairydust]

this update was great I hope Tara gets out on this night with no problems.......cant wait to read the next chapter

*****Faye*****I LOVE YOU JENNA

[fidds]

great update!

i love the way you describe things because it really sets the scene and you can really visualise it.

i hope Tara escapes soon - you've built up the story really well.

Can't wait for the next update



*Hannah*

********************************************
I just needed someone to talk to, you were just too busy with yourself, you were never there for me to express how i felt ,i just stuffed it down- *STAIND -FADE*

Edited by: fidds at: 6/17/02 11:42:41 am

[TheWhiz]

Lovely detail in this update, setting the scene for Tara's escape

Look forward to the next part.

"I am a whiz...If ever a whiz there was"

[tommo]

You're really spoiling the reader with your lavish and wonderfully detailed descriptions. It's a great read; the picture is painted so clearly and your style is very readable. Thanks.

----------
Squish. Squish. Squish.

[AmberBensonRockzMyWorld]

I LOVE this fic, and the update was awsome. You ROCK! You're still evil though, You know why. I can't wait for the next update. Hurry please.

Much Love to ya,

Lisa

This is our Last Embrace, Must I dream and Always see your face.~ Jeff Buckley "Last goodbye"

[TwiLightJoy]

I was having a particularly stressful day (not unlike Tara, and also involving someone's need to move out of the house) and visualizing and writing the sunset scene relaxed me so much.



I just wanted to tease you all by telling you that I've finished up through chapter 8, but I am still keeping with my chapter-a-day posting in case something comes up. This will tend to happen every so often, so I'd rather give you a bit each day since it doesn't take long to log on and post a chapter.



Again, thanks for the feedback! You guys are great!



~Joy

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[WillowTarafan98]

You know this story has had me hooked from the first ch. It's REALLY good keep up the great work!



~Stephie~

a picture is worth a thousand words so can I take your's cause your beauty has totally erased my dictionary ~My line, after taking way to many cute girls photos for my college's newspaper~ ;)


Love didn’t listen
It only hears what it wants to hear
Two hearts beating as one
The odds were against ‘em
Oh but they had something on their side
When doubt said it can’t be done
Love didn’t listen
~Chely Wright "Love Didn't Listen" *off the 'never love you enough' cd*

[Zahir al Daoud]

Counting down the moments till freedom...

"O Let my name be in the Book of Love!
If it be there I care not of that other Book above.
Strike it out! Or write it in anew, but
Let my name be in the Book of Love!"
--Omar Kayam

[pikescoob]

You describe things so well, it makes it so easy to visualize everything. I hope that was her last day under that roof...not long now and she'll be trying to sneak out. *crosses fingers*



--Michelle

[zero]

Really enjoying reading this becasue it's so visual.

I'm looking forward to seeing if Tara gets out alright. Great writing.

"Spatulas are for wimps!" -Dawn

[mollyig]

I like how you've shown Tara admiring the beauty of the sky's colours. Both her temperament and her being a Wicca lead me to believe that she would love nature.



Well done.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[tkheaven]

Well, I got to read and lemme say...I gotta have more. This is a great fic. I love the description of the sunset. It's awesome.

-----------------------------
Tara was similarly riveted, her body on slow burn as Willow's lips parted and her mouth opened, the food slipping inside and being consumed. Never in her life had Tara ever wanted to be a chicken casserole so badly...Later that night..."It's good to be a chicken casserole," Tara murmured, before passing out. ~ Answering Darkness by Sassette

[Miss1234Kitty]

I know I'm repeating everyone else, but the description makes it so easy to read. I almost feel as though I'm there with her, and her father seems so realistic. He's not incredibly horrible as some people make him to the degree that he doesn't seem real, considering his concern for her illness, but he's certainly not nice either!



Love it - update soon, please!



Gem

[TwiLightJoy]

Time!



It was eleven, and the house had fallen silent. Mr. Maclay had shut his light off almost half an hour ago, Donnie had closed his door shortly after, and the television no longer flickered blue-green and white in the living room. Beth was all set up with pillows and blankets on the pullout sofa-bed. Tara rose from her bed, fully dressed in a pair of patch-covered jeans paired with a red thermal shirt beneath a pale blue tee. She knelt beside her bed, slipping her hand between the mattresses for the second flattened box she had stored there. She popped it back into its six-sided state, then stuffed a blanket under her door to both block light and muffle sounds. Flicking the switch, the blonde witch’s room was at once illuminated in an artificial, yellow-tinted glow. As quietly as possible, this box was duct-taped closed on the bottom. Now it was time to unload the small bookcase.



Tara made short work of this, taking no more than ten minutes to place the shelf’s contents into the bottom of the box. A pair of small photo books went next, followed by a tiny, framed picture of her mother beaming and holding an almost impossibly small Tara that was kept in the drawer of her nightstand. A bittersweet smile flashed across the Wiccan’s face, and with a sigh was gone again as she returned focus to her goal.



Cassette tapes stacked neatly on top of the photo books, and then candleholders went back into their original bubble wrap and boxes. Taper and votive candles were wrapped in a pillowcase, along with a package of tea lights, a trio of incense burners, packages of jasmine and sandalwood. The pillowcase went into the box next. A second pillowcase was designated for wrapping her breakables, cushioned by mateless socks. A miniature jade Buddah, a small replica of Tutankamen’s sarcophagus, and various animal figurines went into the makeshift bag. This bag was cushioned top and bottom with sheets and her knitted blanket. She finally gave the room another once-over, then taped the box shut and left it in the middle of the floor. Considering for a moment, she took up her marker and labeled this box “STUFF.”



What else, what else? Tara had already packed the remaining bag, her backpack, with a new-ish paperback she was reading, her Walkman with fresh batteries and a good mix tape inside, and some food. A couple packages of Pop-Tarts, some Ritz crackers, Cheetos, various other junk. The kind of stuff she wouldn’t normally eat but she could sneak bit by bit out of the kitchen without being noticeable, as she had done throughout the night. She also had three bottles of water for the trip. She figured she could refill them from drinking fountains, if she needed to. Her cash had also gone into the bag, which would be her carry-on for the bus ride. Very important not to allow the bag to get out of sight. Her tickets were in the side pocket, which was less visible than the front pockets. She still left room for her things from the bathroom in the bag’s middle pocket.



Looking around, she realized that was pretty much all that was left. She shut the light off, then pulled the velux blanket away from the door as she let her eyes adjust to the darkness. Then she picked up the bag and headed for the bathroom, across the hall from Donnie’s room. Here she packed her brush, dental floss, toothbrush, her remaining supply of monthly necessities, a pair of razors, shampoo, and her shower pouf with the fishy on it. Ooh, and the spare tube of toothpaste, can’t forget that. She snagged a pair of towels and a washcloth almost as an afterthought, stuffing them into the bottom of the bag. It was pretty full, and she didn’t see anything else she couldn’t replace easily. That was it for this room. She glanced at her Mickey Mouse pocketwatch, seeing with surprise that it was already 11:50. Almost time to head out!



Tara flicked the bathroom light off, then slipped back into her room, replacing the blanket under the door before turning her room’s light back on. She set her bag down on the bed and quietly wheeled the hand-truck out of the closet. The sewing bag suitcase came off the top, and the fair-haired girl carefully lifted the second box, placing it on top of the first and strapping it firmly into place. The suitcase went back on top of the boxes, also secured to the truck. A satisfied but slightly fearful feeling washed over Tara as she looked at her room, mostly stripped of its personality now.



She had decided to go ahead and write the note, just as an extra precaution to be sure she couldn’t be taken back against her will. She sat cross-legged on her bed and wrote the note.



“Dad and Donnie, I’ve decided that I have to leave. I didn’t take anything that wasn’t mine. I know you will be upset, but I need to get out on my own. I am sure you will be okay without me. Don’t worry about me and please don’t come after me. Tara.”



She sighed and set the note on her bed, then went to her closet to take her jacket out. She put it on in one quick motion, and slipped her backpack over her shoulders. She let out a long, calming breath and got ready to wheel the hand-truck over to the door to put her sneakers on. Just then, a quiet, almost hesitant tap came at her door. The Wiccan’s eyes widened in horror and she set the truck back down, flicking her light off.



The tap came again, more insistently. This time it was followed by a feminine whisper. “Tara? Can I come in?”

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[fidds]

OMG Tara was nearly ready to leave!

Great update!

can't wait to see how this plays out



*Hannah*

********************************************
I just needed someone to talk to, you were just too busy with yourself, you were never there for me to express how i felt ,i just stuffed it down- *STAIND -FADE*

[tkheaven]

Quote:

---

The tap came again, more insistently. This time it was followed by a feminine whisper. “Tara? Can I come in?”

---

Dohhhh....can I say " CRINGE" don't you hate it when you're just Oh SO excited about gettin something done when BLAM.....someone comes a-knockin' at your door... I'd just say, "Nobody here"... or better yet....I bet Dawn's "get out, Get Out, GET OUT" would be really effective in this case...



Great Update, can't wait for the next one...

-----------------------------
Tara was similarly riveted, her body on slow burn as Willow's lips parted and her mouth opened, the food slipping inside and being consumed. Never in her life had Tara ever wanted to be a chicken casserole so badly...Later that night..."It's good to be a chicken casserole," Tara murmured, before passing out. ~ Answering Darkness by Sassette

[TwiLightJoy]

Hey, I can't wait for the next update either! So far it's my favorite one, so I shall refer to it as "Even Better Than Chapter 6." Unfortunately, I have to get to work soon, but I have heard we're getting out early all this week.Gotta love night shift. Maybe I'll post it at like 1 am when I get home.



Maybe not. Guess you'll have to wait and see. Mua ha ha ha! I'm almost as evil as Rally. Well, okay, that's stretching it.



~Joy

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[tkheaven]

LOL, almost as evil? well, I don't know how evil she is but I'd say you're a tease if you don't post

-----------------------------
Tara was similarly riveted, her body on slow burn as Willow's lips parted and her mouth opened, the food slipping inside and being consumed. Never in her life had Tara ever wanted to be a chicken casserole so badly...Later that night..."It's good to be a chicken casserole," Tara murmured, before passing out. ~ Answering Darkness by Sassette

[AmberBensonRockzMyWorld]

You ROCK! I Love this fic. I can't wait to see some more. You Rock!!!!

Love Ya,

Lisa

This is our Last Embrace, Must I dream and Always see your face.~ Jeff Buckley "Last goodbye"

[Zahir al Daoud]

Damn it! Wouldn't you know Cousin Beth would be the thing that derails a perfect plan!



And now she'll probably have a really nice, human reason to want to talk to Tara. She'll probably be sorry for bothering her, offer to do all sorts of nice things in return, mean every word of it... Odds are this is the real reason she showed up early! And it'll be something Tara will (rightly) feel honor-bound to help out with, 'cause Beth really doesn't mean any harm and wants nothing but the best for Tara.



Bitch.

"O Let my name be in the Book of Love!
If it be there I care not of that other Book above.
Strike it out! Or write it in anew, but
Let my name be in the Book of Love!"
--Omar Kayam

[zero]

Trust stupid-Beth-garbage-face to come along and screw it up!

Looking forward to the next part.

"Spatulas are for wimps!" -Dawn

[mollyig]

Bloody Beth! Her timing is just awful. Poor Tara - so near to freedom!

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[TwiLightJoy]

Dammit! Tara cursed mentally. She approached the door and whispered back. “Beth? W-what’s wrong?”



“I need to talk to you, Tara, open up please?” her cousin replied in a hushed tone. She sounded really desperate, but Tara was getting desperate, too! She briefly considered diving out one of the windows.



Kicking herself, Tara mumbled, “Just a m-minute.” She hurriedly wheeled the truck back into the closet and put her jacket and bag in with them, returning to the door and pulling the blanket up off the floor, wrapping herself in it. Thank the God and the Goddess she didn’t have her shoes on yet. She kept the light off, then opened the door and pulled Beth in. The door closed again behind her.



“I’m sorry, I heard you going back to your room, and I wanted to talk to you. You aren’t still sick, are you?” Beth questioned quietly.



Tara shook her head, almost imperceptible in the dark room. “No, I’m, I’m okay. W-what do you need?” Her heart was pounding in her chest, almost to the point where she was sure Beth would be able to hear it.



“Well, it’s my mom. Like I said at dinner, she’s not doing very well lately. I know you’ve been through the same kind of thing with your mom, and I don’t feel like it’s something I can talk about with Donnie. I was sure you’d understand about why I really had to come here early. It’s just that it can be so hard to be at home, to see Mom keep getting weaker.” Beth sat down on Tara’s bed and heard a slight crumpling noise. She reached behind her, shifting her weight as she pulled the note up. “Oh, I’m sorry!” she apologized, peering blindly at the paper in the darkness. “This wasn’t too important, I hope. Do you mind if we have some light? It’s kind of hard to talk about this when I can’t see you.” Beth reached for the nightstand, flicking the lamp on even as Tara opened her mouth to protest. Beth moved to hand the paper back to Tara, then hesitated and looked closer at it, tilting her head to the side. “Wait a second, what’s this?”



Tara snatched the paper away quickly, her face flaming and her pulse pounding. “That’s, it’s n-n-nothing. I mean, it’s something, but, but it’s a p-private something.”



Puzzlement was written all over Beth’s face. “Then why is it addressed to Uncle Steve and Donnie?” Realization dawned on her, her eyebrows raising. “Oh! That’s not about - I mean, Tara, Donnie told me….” Her face turned about ten shades of red, and she paused in thought before she continued. “Tara, I’m pretty sure they already know.”



“They d-do?” Tara’s pulse beat even more rapidly, and her stomach felt all churn-y, like the spin cycle on the washing machine. Only not in a happy, clean clothes way. She gulped and felt suddenly weak in the knees, taking a seat on the bed next to her cousin.



Beth nodded, her shining blonde ponytail bobbing. “Donnie does, anyway. But I want you to know that I think it’s perfectly okay. And I’m sure they will still love you, even after you tell them you’re a lesbian.”



Tara wanted to laugh out loud with relief, but managed to control herself and only grinned like a moron for what felt like endless moments. You know, Beth is cooler than I thought, she mused. She sees a lot of stuff that I wasn't sure she would. Not all of it though, I hope. The witch nodded and sighed, her voice full of emotion. “I’m so g-glad that you understand, Beth. It means a l-lot.”



Her cousin continued to smile supportively, and leaned over to give Tara a hug. “I should let you go to bed now. We can talk about my mom tomorrow, when we go shopping. I’m so glad you feel better, this means we can spend more time together while I’m visiting.” She headed for the door and had her hand on the knob. “Good night!”



“Wait, Beth? Can I ask you a f-favor?” Tara inquired, thinking quickly. “To k-keep a secret for me.” Please Gods let this work!



Beth dropped her hand from the doorknob and faced Tara. “Sure, anything. You name it.”



Tara tucked a strand of hair behind her right ear, letting the blanket fall to reveal her fully dressed. A cunning grin spread slowly across her face. “I w-was gonna, um, sneak out tonight. To see m-my girlfriend? I r-really missed her today, w-when I was, um, sick. She wanted to give me my b-birthday present, and I’m, I’m n-not ready to have them m-meet her yet.”



“Oh, that is so sweet!” the younger blonde squeaked. “You can count on me, Tara. I’ll look the other way and keep it quiet. What time were you going to go?” Beth asked.



“Um, in about h-half an hour?” Tara said. “I still have to f-finish this note. For, for Dad and Donnie.” She waved the note, making sure the actual words remained unclear. A delay, but she would still have plenty of time to make the bus. Maybe it was enough time for Beth to doze off, too. And if she heard a noise, she most likely would just assume Tara was off to see her ‘girlfriend’ and not bother to watch her leave.



“Perfect. Have fun tonight!” Beth said with an enthusiastic smile, still fortunately keeping her voice down. “Don’t stay out too late! And happy birthday!”



Tara nodded, and gave Beth a sympathetic smile, rising and putting a hand on the younger girl’s arm. “And I’m really sorry. About your mom, I m-mean. I know that it’s r-rough to go through it all, but I’m glad you told me. A-and trusted me enough to talk about it.”



Beth held a stoic expression throughout her cousin’s speech, then crumbled, tears running down her cheeks. “I just knew you’d understand, Tara. Thank you so much.” She hugged the witch briefly and tightly, before stepping back to the door. “I should go, I know you’ve got things to do. And I could use some sleep. Night.”



“Bye, Beth,” Tara mouthed, flicking the light off as Beth opened the door to leave the room. Mixed feelings washed over the young Wiccan, and she fell back onto her bed, emotionally exhausted. So that was why Beth had needed to come early, it explained a lot.



Still, she’d nearly had a heart attack when her cousin had the note in her hand. That had been such a close call, but thankfully there had been a convenient and even honest diversion from the note’s true purpose. Except, you know, the part about having a girlfriend, Tara grumbled to herself.



It was kind of good to know that at least Beth accepted her for who she was, but it made her feel even worse to be lying about where she was really going. These last moments she’d spent with Beth had really shown a different side of her. It was kind of a shame that she finally felt close to one person in her family, now that she was leaving. It wasn’t even a family member she got to see every day, but still, it was someone she had a blood tie to who didn’t loathe her. She decided she would stay in touch with Beth, when she got to Sunnydale.

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[tkheaven]

Whew! I almost had a heart attack, too. Then you threw in the idea that everyone knew she was a lesbain...nice..I can imagine Tara... yeah, and now I gotta see my girlfriend, right cute..more more more

-----------------------------
Tara was similarly riveted, her body on slow burn as Willow's lips parted and her mouth opened, the food slipping inside and being consumed. Never in her life had Tara ever wanted to be a chicken casserole so badly...Later that night..."It's good to be a chicken casserole," Tara murmured, before passing out. ~ Answering Darkness by Sassette

[Zahir al Daoud]

Hee hee hee...



"I think they already know."

"O Let my name be in the Book of Love!
If it be there I care not of that other Book above.
Strike it out! Or write it in anew, but
Let my name be in the Book of Love!"
--Omar Kayam

[CaptMurdock]

(hooking myself up to a defibrillator...)



Charging...



CLEAR!



( ZZZzzt! Beep beepbeepbeep!)



Don't do that to me! Tara's not the only one who nearly had a heart attack!



It's a pity that Beth might have actually been sympathetic to Tara, considering how it all turned ou

______________________

"I love you all. I love you more than life itself. You're all f***ing mad." -- Ozzy as "The Dad," THE OSBOURNES.