Hello kittens I've been away for a while, too much work and real life in general.But lately I've got the writing bug. I hope you like this story.
Title: The Myth Killer
Rating: NC-17 to R
Summary: AU Fic: Tara is a tough second generation cop in N.Y. She’s riddled with guilt and is having problems on the job. Her Captain puts his foot down and assigns her an unwanted, inexperienced and redheaded partner. Tara must face her inner demons, baby-sit a rookie cop that drives her nuts in more ways than one, all while trying to solve one of the most challenging cases of her career.
Disclaimers: Based on the characters created by Joss Whedon for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer T.V show and comics. None of the canon characters are mine, I have never claimed that they are mine and I never will claim that they are mine. I’m just borrowing them to have some good clean fun (well that is until I get to the NC-17 and R rated parts then it gets a little dirty.) Any other characters are mine like the ‘Myth Killer’ for example. I swear I don’t make money off any of this, though I must confess I really wish I could cause writing this stuff is so much better than work.
Distribution: If you want it posted on your site I have no problems but please ask first. I’m easy, I’ll always say yes. (That didn’t sound so naughty in my head.)
Feedback: Yes please. It’s nice to be fed.
Part 1: Sun on a rainy day.
The sun broke through the blinds and landed over the woman’s sleep depraved eyes. She squinted and tried with one hand to shield her blue orbs from the pain that daylight brought. No such luck. She crossed both arms under her head and shut her eyes tightly, doing her best to ignore the fact that it was time to pretend that she had awoken and join the land of the living. Again, there was another harsh reminder that it was morning, the screeching and piercing sound of the alarm clock ringing in her ears. She let out a disgruntled moaning sound before taking the offending siren and flinging it against the wall. It shattered into pieces and lay scattered and silent over the floor. It was the third of its kind this week to meet its demise in the same fashion. Its none too gentle ‘killer’ looked upon her handy work with and empty stare.
After a few moments of meaningless thought the blonde threw the bed covers off her body and with an exasperated look on her face she swung her legs to the side of the bed. She took a moment to breathe deeply in and out and finally mustered enough will power to get herself out of bed. She walked purposefully towards the bathroom discarding her white boxer shorts and tank top along the way. The cold water turned on at full force actually felt good against her skin at least it felt like something, something different to numb. She remained with her head under the spray with her outstretched arms pushing at the wall until the water wasn’t enough to drown out her dark thoughts.
‘Fuck! Donnie.’ She muttered before roughly slapping her hands on the shower wall and shutting off the spray. She dried herself off quickly and looked into the bathroom mirror contemplating her image as she brushed her teeth with automated strokes.
She stopped almost suddenly and spit out the minty foam in her mouth. She put down her toothbrush and gulped before bringing her right index finger just over her eye brow she didn’t cringe even though the slight touch on the recent wound had caused her a sudden rush of pain. She shut her eyes as a flood of images came to her mind. She grunted and without thinking about it balled her hand into a fist and punched the mirror.
The glass shattered and a few shards imbedded themselves in the guilty fist as a fitting revenge. The blonde realized the stupidity of her actions as she stared almost dumbly at the blood flowing from the small wounds but really couldn’t bring herself to care.
She took another deep breath and opened the nearly broken cabinet door and got down to the business of quickly cleaning and bandaging her hand, she didn’t want to be late even though now if she really thought about it, it wasn’t really important. She had already been too late when it had really mattered.
The blonde took a look around her messy apartment; it sharply contrasted with the clean and crisp clothes that hung over her favorite chair just waiting to be donned. She dressed taking care not to wrinkle a single item of clothing while wrestling with her emotions.
‘Keep it together.’ She played this phrase over and over again in her mind like a mantra as she left the apartment and hailed a cab not fully trusting her focus enough to drive.
It was a bright and sunny day. The grass was crisp and green, the breeze was just cool enough to refresh and strong enough to naturally tousle a hair or two out of place.The blonde walked over the green expanse of well catered lawn and thought that the weather was too nice for day like this one. The day shouldn’t be so warm and light, the birds shouldn’t be chirping so merrily outside. It should be a grey and rainy day, a day more fit for a funeral.
Part 2: Silent Inside
She walked slowly inside the church and stopped just a few steps from the entrance. The service had already started, she was late as usual. That last thought struck her like a blow to the stomach and she had to step back outside to collect herself before going back inside and searching the front rows for the grieving faces of her family members.
Her father looked pale and serious but that was nothing new. His stern face hardly ever showed any emotion. Her mother was a whole different story her face, especially her eyes always betrayed even her most intimate thoughts and feelings. Right now the swollen bags under her eyes and the tears that flowed freely down her face spoke volumes about her pain. Tara had to hold herself back from rushing to hug her mother tightly and breakdown right in her arms.
‘She needs you Maclay. Hold it together.’ She passed in front of her father who acknowledged her presence by giving her a nod and a squeeze on her arm. She did the same and then turned to stand by her mother’s side but not before giving her a strong hug for both their benefits. The blonde tried to stay in the moment but her mind was million miles away. She was aware that her mother was clinging to her arm so once in a while Tara almost absentmindedly squeezed her hand trying to offer a tiny bit of comfort, something to let her mother know that she was there even though her conscious thoughts were elsewhere.
For Tara the whole thing went by like a surreal dream, from having to say the eulogy, to carrying the coffin, hearing the gun salute like an echo, handing her mother the neatly folded American flag and finally seeing the last vestiges of what used to be her brother lowered to the ground. Right up to the last second she held on to the hope that this was all a nightmare that she would soon awaken from. Unfortunately, this time there was no alarm clock ringing in her ears, there was only a dull silence intermittently pierced by her mother’s weeping.
Back at her parents house she started to feel like she was going choke the next person who patted her on the back and told her how sorry they were. She began to feel suffocated and hastily loosened the knot on her tie and unbuttoned the jacket of her police uniform. She rushed through the kitchen door and headed for the back way out.A strong arm stopped her escape.
“ Going somewhere Maclay?” Asked a balding man with a gruff voice tinged with a strong New York accent.
Tara held the door open with one arm as she flatly answered, “ I need some air.”
The man nodded knowingly and let go of her arm. “ I think ya also need some of this.” He said, holding up a silver flask filled with whisky.
Tara raised an eyebrow and walked out to one of the garden benches. She didn’t have to turn to know that the man was right behind her. He sat by her side took a quick swig from the flask making bit of pained face before offering it to the blonde who took a long and hard drink without so much as blinking. She was grateful for the burning liquid traveling down her throat. The burning in her belly reminded her that she was still alive.
She took another quick drink and handed the flask back to her bench companion.
“ It wasn’t your fault you know.” He said while studying the woman’s features.
“ So I keep hearing.” She answered staring off into the distance.
The man scratched his head in exasperation. “ Ya keep hearing it cause it’s true. Your brother was a cop, he knew the risks of the job as well a you do, as well as any of us do.”
“ Captain, my brother was a rookie and I was supposed to take care of him. He was just a kid.” She said with anger and sadness coloring every word she spoke.
The captain rose and looked at the blonde officer straight in the eyes.
“ Pardon my French but…bullshit! Maybe cause you were so close no matter what, you were always going to consider him to be just a kid but he was a man Maclay and rookie or not he was also a trained officer who died in the line of duty. That was unfortunate but it comes with the job it’s the choice we all make when we marry it. What happened in that alley wasn’t his fault or yours it’s the nature of the streets we work in and if you choose to ignore that he knew that you’re taking away the value of his choices and actions.”
Tara’s mind knew that what the Captain was saying made sense. She just wished someone could explain it to her heart. Tara nodded mainly to appease her boss before he continued his onslaught of wisdom.
Captain Mackenzie understood the gesture for what it was: a signal that she didn’t want to listen to him anymore. He shook his head and opted for changing the subject.
“Listen if you wanna take a few more days off…”
She cut him off quickly stating,” No, I want to get back to work as soon as possible.”
He sucked in air knowing that he would have to bring up another sore subject for the blonde detective. “ You know… I spoke to Doctor Black today and he says that Harris won’t be in any shape to get back to the field any time soon.”
The blonde furrowed her brow. “ But I saw him yesterday, he said he was doing great.”
“He’s much better, out of mortal danger and all but he’s going to need a lot of rehab before he can get back to the streets. He’ll be getting out of the hospital in a couple of days but there’s no telling how long it will take for him to make a full recovery.” He explained and tried to choose his next words carefully.
“I know you’re not gonna like what I’m about to say, especially after all you’ve been through. Losing your brother and nearly losing your partner at the same time is huge but I’m not only your friend I’m also your Captain, you can’t count on Xander being your partner when you come back. I’ve called for a reassignment.
The blonde rose to her feet with a start. “You what?” she yelled. “Mack how could you do that to me, to Harris?”
Mack put his hands up defensively. “Hey Harris was the first to agree. He’s in no shape for the field and he’s o.k with taking a desk job while he fully recovers.”
Tara was dumbfounded everything was just so wrong. First her brother and now her partner, she felt alone. “ I don’t want another partner.” She stubbornly exclaimed, knowing full well how childish that sounded because of course no matter what she would eventually get another partner, that’s just the way it was but she didn’t have to like it.
Mack put his hands in his pockets. It was moments like this he wished he had listened to his mother and had become a pastry chef instead of a cop. Making cupcakes was sure easier that this. “Sorry kid.” He said as he walked towards the house. He didn’t dare turn his head back because he knew if he did he would have to see one of his best detectives crying like a lost child. ‘ Whatta job.’ He thought. ‘Shit, I could’ve been baking cookies.’
Captain Mackenzie was wrong about Tara Maclay though. If he had turned around he would not have seen her crying. He would have seen her balling her hands into fists, and tensely holding her arms at her sides.
Part 3: Screaming Outside
One month later
Monday Morning at the 55th precinct was as normal as usual. Some cops were starting their shifts just as some cops were finishing theirs. There were disgruntled faces furiously typing away trying to finish reports so they could go home, others were complaining about the coffee, a couple of flat foots were struggling on the stairs with a drunken hooker who was screaming like a banshee and in the break room a disheveled looking blonde was taking ice from the freezer and placing it in a handkerchief with the purpose of putting it on her aching head. She looked up at wall clock it was 8:05 at 8:00 on the dot her newest partner had stormed into the Captain’s office it was about time then, she started a mental countdown. “10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-“ before she could get to one a resounding “ MACLAY GET IN HEEERE!!!!!!!” reverberated throughout the precinct. Tara smirked and threw her makeshift ice-pack in the trash. “damn I was off by just one.” She thought as she casually strolled towards Mack’s office.
Some of Tara’s co-workers the wisest ones at least went about their own business and tried like hell not to make eye contact with the blonde. Some that weren’t so wise shook their heads disapprovingly and sent dirty looks her way, she reciprocated with icy-blue looks of her own that chilled their spines and made them look away as quickly as they could.
She opened the door to the captain’s office and stood in front of his desk with her hands clasped behind her back. “ You called captain” she said in an almost mocking tone.
The captain banged on his desk as he looked on the unkempt appearance of who had once been one of his best detectives. “Damn it Maclay that’s the third detective that’s asked for…no, demanded a transfer from this precinct. Three in one month! Enough is enough Maclay, I’ve been patient too long. I won’t lose anymore people over you this precinct is understaffed as it is.”
Tara opened her mouth to intervene but the Captain cut her short before a single word could come out.
“Don’t you frickin’ dare try to explain the shit that went down last night. I should ask for your badge on the spot. Is that what you want or is it more of a death wish?”
Tara aimed her sight on the floor she knew he had every right to be angry. As for his question she didn’t really quite know the answer. Why did she keep messing up lately?
Did she really want to lose her job? Being a cop was all she ever wanted to be, all she knew how to be. So why was she acting in a way that could destroy that? She honestly didn’t know the answer so she remained quiet.
Mack saw the myriad of emotions flashing though the blonde’s eyes and it made his heart ache for her but at the same time she was also the reason his belly was burning and for his angina acting up. He sighed heavily.
“Shit kid, what am I gonna do with ya?” He said while ruffling through some papers. “Sit down will ya.” It was more a command than a suggestion. Tara contemplated not obliging for a moment before deciding against it and taking a seat.
“I can’t keep covering for you. I know It’s been rough but you’re gonna have to find away to deal. Are you going to your therapy sessions?”
Tara nodded tensely. Personally she thought the sessions were a waste of time she only went because it was a requirement. She usually sat there for a half an hour a basically lied; she knew what she was expected to say, so she said it and went on her way. So no, in that half hour she didn’t have insomnia or nightmares when she did sleep. She ate balanced meals and didn’t go up almost every night to the roof top of her building and look down wondering what it would feel like to take a flight.
Mack continued. “Well remember you have to keep them up until the doc gives you the o.k. As for your new lack of a partner, you’re out of luck if you thought you could run solo for awhile after you scared this one off you were dead wrong. There’s a detective from L.A who’s been waiting for a transfer to New York and she’s actually willing to work with you to get it.”
Tara inwardly groaned some part of her had actually thought that she might get the chance to be alone for awhile after the reputation she had built up the last month.
“But Mack…”
He interjected again, “No buts! Listen to me and listen to me good. I’m putting my foot down and be grateful it’s down and not up your ass out of respect for your father who was once my partner. Whatever is going on in that head of yours sort it out cause sooner or later you’re not only going to put your life on the line but the life of other officers and that’s something I won’t stand for. Now this is your last chance if anything happens to your new partner it’s your badge, for good.”
Tara looked into the Captain’s eyes and saw that he meant it. He would fire her if it came down to it. She deserved it she new that much. But it was what he had said about putting other officer’s lives on the line that had really struck a cord in her. Was she repeating the mistake that had led to her brother’s death?
The Captain thought he saw a light of understanding in Tara’s eyes and hoped that he wasn’t making a mistake by giving her one more chance and by putting her in a situation where she would have to be responsible for another officer’s life. It could be just what she needed or it could endanger two lives.‘Don’t let me down kid. These stakes are high’ He thought as he continued. “Listen Maclay the reason I’m telling you that you’re responsible for this new partner is cause you literally are. This woman even though she’s made detective she hasn’t exactly had a lot of field experience…”
Tara’s narrowed her eyes in confusion, “Huh? How can that be, was she recently promoted or something?”
Mack scratched his head. “ Yeah…that’s part of it, she only got promoted a week or so ago.”
Tara rolled her eyes. “Great Mack, then she’s practically a rookie, being detective is a whole other story even if she was an officer in the streets of L.A. Altough... well I guess... at least there’s that, L.A can be just as bad as New York soooo I don’t know why you make it sound like I have to protect the woman.”
Mack scratched his head again and Tara’s inner alarms started going off he only did that when he was nervous about something. “ Mack what aren’t you telling me?”
Mack cleared his throat. “She didn’t so much patrol the mean streets of L.A it was more like the marbled streets of Beverly Hills.”
Tara Maclay’s jaw dropped to the floor. “What?” She jumped from her chair and stared down her boss, “ No fucking way am I going to baby sit some powder-puff, manicured, gold-plated pistol carrying rookie with no real street experience in one of the toughest zones in the N.Y.P.D!!!!”
Mack stared back at the irate blond and raised his voice to a commanding tone. “Oh yes you fucking are! What’s more you’re gonna make Detective Willow Rosenberg feel so welcome she’s gonna wanna marry ya.”
“Like hell I am!” She yelled.
“Oh. Yeah, the hell you are if you want to keep your badge!” He yelled back twice as loud.
And so started a staring contest that neither party was willing to lose. After five minutes or so of deafening silence Tara gave up and fumed out of the Captain’s office slamming the door so hard the glass plate on top of it rattled and nearly shattered. The Captain sat down and poured himself a nice glass of Pepto antacid liquid medicine. As he gulped down the thick pink concoction he thought. ‘Jesus I hope I’m not making the biggest mistake of my life.’
Tara practically ran down the stairs and through the basement corridors she needed to get to the archive room. She needed to talk to Xander he was her only hope of not getting stuck with one, Willow Rosenbaum or something like that. God she hated the woman already.
Keep it up
Yeah, Willow is going to want to marry Tara. And you probably won't even have to twist her arm 
Now let the real games begin 