The Myth Killer

[Tarababy77]

Patience has paid off. I'm glad to get more background on Tara. Just from her actions and bottled emotions, I was too, surprised that she was Xanders go to guy for help and backup.

(Wow, I'm really suckin' at the feedback tonight, sorry)

Anyhoo, Great updates. I'm glad to see that Tara can trust Xander to look after her, even though she would prefer to be independent. Hope to see more soon. Smiles. =)

[mole]

So, both Tara and Xander are getting wake-up calls. Tara is very near rock bottom and realizing that she's a danger to others, although I'm not sure she understands that she's a danger to herself as well. Xander is really looking at his partner and friend and seeing that's she's slipped out of control. Good to know that Tara has a strong friend. It'll be interesting to see how the addition of Willow changes things.

Hmm....are either Tara or Willow "out" in this world or will their attraction (there WILL be attraction, right? ) come as a surprise to them both?

Michelle

[Artemis]

Great start - you've got a really complex, involved Tara already, and great potential for Willow as well (it's just that Tara's had more 'screen time' so far). Sparks are most certainly going to fly when these two meet So many possibilities - Tara not wanting a partner to replace Xander, Willow wanting to prove she's no rookie, Tara no doubt seeing Willow's determination as naivete, and Xander doing his best to help, but burdened with guilt of his own...

And the case one assumes is before them, 'the myth killer' - great name, just right for a gritty mystery (even though, I must admit, my first thought was that it was the Mythbusters gone insane ). I loved Red Ace, so I'm really pleased to see this story starting up - I'm looking at it as a kind of 'spiritual sequel'.

[Emms]

Okay...how in the frilly heck is it that I have missed three entire updates and had no idea until five minutes ago? I am a bad, BAD kitten! *hand across forehead* *breathily* punish me if you must... I promise not to enjoy it... too much.

Anyway... I've read the first of the three updates I've missed so I'll just leave feedback for that one now, and then come back and edit to add the rest of my feedback for the other two chapters. (sound like a good plan? ) that is unless you add another chapter while I'm feedbacking the last chapters... and then my whole plan flies out the window. I guess I'd better get to work then. hehe.

Feedback for: Part 4: Great Expectations

So… enter Sheila Rosenberg. I love this chapter for two reasons.. The first reason is (of course) because we get to meet Willow. The rogue Willow, bent on doing things her own way… and who will not be swayed by the wishes of her well-to-do parents. I like that she’s forged a place for herself of her own doing, rather than relying on the help of her parents. It’s apparent that she wants to be out from under their oppressive rule and free to live her life how she sees fit. It’s just a shame that she’s spent all this time as a cop in Beverly hills.

I have a feeling she’s in for a rude awakening when she gets to NY and sees exactly what working for the NYPD is really like. I mean.. I know she has the best of intentions, but the world she’s been existing in and the rough streets of NY are two completely different entities altogether. I’m sure she’ll make the grade though… and I can’t wait for her to meet Tara.

I haven't mentioned reason number two, I just realized... but it's fled from my mind at the moment, so I'll have to come back when i remember again...

Feedback for: Part 5: Out of touch: Part A

So first off, I'd like to say that I'd have to agree with what db said in her feedback. I too would like to know what Tara's baseline behavior is if how she's acting now is abnormal.

So Xander was injured the night whatever it was that went down with Donny happened? Poor Tara...she's not only lost her brother but she's lost her partner, as well. But now I'm thinking I should go back and reread the first update because I must have missed something. I was certain that Donny was Tara's partner... but now I'm thinking that maybe he just worked for the same department and Tara had an overactive sense of duty towards him because he was her brother.

I'm also wondering who the woman was in Xander's bed. Yes, I know I read that she's his girlfriend, and because of that one might assume it's Anya you're talking about... but they way you're writing her doesn’t seem much like the Anya we know and love... which leads me to believe that the person in his bed might be someone else entirely. (or perhaps I missed the mention of her name... I'll go back and check.)

ETA: The woman is indeed Anya. I missed Tara's line to Xander about the girl in his bed being Anya, the nurse with the shortest skirt. lol

Feedback for: Out of touch Part B:

I really disliked the fact that Billy ( could that be a form of William? )slipped Tara a sleeping pill in her drink. I don't care if he was just trying to help... there is no way he should have done that to her.

But I'm glad Xander was there to take her home. That's what she needs right now... friends that care about her to take care of her. She's had a tough time and Xander's a good friend. I like his touch love approach with Tara, it seems like she can be a real "hard ass" (at least that's the side we've seen of her) so it's refreshing to see her admit (even if only to herself) that she needs to get herself together or she's going to have to give up her badge. At least that show's she's thinking a little bit rationally now.

Oh and on a side note: I forgot to mention in the last chapter's feedback that I liked Xander's line about there being no more jelly donuts at the Doughnut Box.

Great updates! I can't wait for more! And hopefully I wont be so late, next time with the praise.

xoxo
Emms

[caz]

Tara is in need of some serious help. It looks as if Xander has started the process. I'm sure that Willow will continue it once Tara gets to know her and trust her enough to let her in. I get the impression that this is going to take some time.

Oh, and Sheila Rosenberg is a very detestable woman. If she were my Mother I'd have left home years ago.

Caz

[WillowRulez]

Is Tara actually showing some insight? Gosh, I hope so.

He looked in her closet for some pajamas and laid them out on the bed.

For some reason I thought this was really cute. Xander's such a... doll

[willow_tara_always]

im liking where this is going! updates are needed pronto! xxx

[Safuega]

Hiya Nika,

Can't say I'm surprised that Tara crashed given the circumstances, but I am a bit uncertain as to how to feel about the whole thing. The pace you have set in these initials posts is very fast and if you intended these posts to set the 'background' then the pace is just right. But, if this is supposed to be our glimpse into Tara's crisis then it feels a bit rushed. Now, since I have read other stories of yours, I am going to go with the background interpretation and wait for you to lay the whole thing in all its glorious details in later updates. Thus far the scene is set for a Tara in crisis and I for one would like to see how you delve deeper into those emotions that are making 'tough as nails' Tara spin out of control.

Thanks for sharing this story with us. I look forward to the next update.

Safuega

P.S. Oh yes, you captured the 'black and white' mood to perfection in 'Red Ace' that's what made it such a fun story to read. It was a fun trip down memory lane for me. Tx!

[Nika]

Out of touch part C

Tara finished washing up and stood up on shaky legs. She had to grab the side of the tub in order to avoid falling down. This made her further realize how bad her condition was at the moment. How could she have even thought that she would be o.k to drive? It almost made her glad to have passed out in the bar. ‘How’s that for fucked up?’ She asked herself.

The blonde dried off and got a small smile on her face when she saw that Xander had put out a pair of fresh pajamas for her. ‘Harris you’re just an overgrown teddy bear aren’t you? Man I’ve been an ass.’ She further berated herself.

She dressed slowly, dreading the talk that she would shortly have with her partner.

‘ What can I say? No amount of talking is going to make things alright.’ She thought glumly. She also realized that she felt absolutely exhausted, her lids still felt heavy and she felt like her body was being pulled down by lead weights. She brushed her teeth and hair and knew that there was nothing left to do but come out and face the music.

Tara came out of her room and Harris watched her closely. She had dark circles around her eyes and walked dragging her feet. He looked at the wall clock it was 4:00 a.m, Billy was right, she had to be wrung out from before for the pill to have had such a big effect.

“ Well Maclay…”

“ Listen Harris…”

He stopped her from interrupting him. “No, you listen, get your butt over here and sit down, this grilled cheese is getting cold and so is the soup. And there’s nothing nastier than cold soup especially if it came from a can.”

“ But…” She tried to protest.

Xander stopped her again,” No buts, except yours on the seat. You need to eat something and I’m starving too. So this is what we’re going to do, we’re going to eat together then you’re going to bed and get some real sleep. I’m going to crash on the couch and call in sick for you in the morning. So we’ll eat and talk in the morning.

Tara arched an eyebrow she couldn’t help but be amused by her partner’s authoritative tone. He almost sounded like her father. Plus, it sure seemed that everyone wanted to boss her around lately. Never the less she didn’t have the strength to argue so she sat and began to eat. She realized that she hadn’t eaten that much in the past few days; she guessed in part that’s why she felt somewhat weak at the knees. Despite the lack of food she found she wasn’t really hungry and had to make a real effort to keep it all down.

Harris kept his eyes on the blonde as she ate. She seemed to be having a difficulty eating, that was definitely another change. She usually loved to eat, pretty much anything. In fact he had often found himself wondering where she put it all away but at the moment it looked like she wouldn’t even be able to finish the small meal he had put together. She also didn’t seem to be making any attempt at talking. He noticed that she rubbed her temples every once in a while and that her eyes were a little droopy. ‘ I think letting her sleep it off and waiting to have our heart to heart- badge to badge talk in the morning is definitely for the best .’ He thought.

The blonde picked at her food and took the smallest bites that she could. She looked at Harris every once in awhile and noticed that she had his full attention. His worry for her was touching but it also made her feel uncomfortable on so many levels it would be hard for her to explain her feelings. She certainly wasn’t used to feeling like she needed help or looking after. The only thing keeping her from throwing him out was knowing that she had messed up by drinking to the point he had had to pick her up from the bar; that and not wanting to lose his friendship. Still, some part of her screamed silently at him, ‘Get out I want to be alone.’ At least he wasn’t pushing her to talk just yet. He had said they would talk in the morning that wasn’t far off but it was something. A few more hours of silence, she didn’t know why but lately she just felt an overwhelming need for absolute silence.


Harris also kept quiet during their somber meal. He only spoke to encourage the blonde to eat a few more bites of her sandwich as she had barely eaten half. Tara gave him a small smile and complied. “Happy now mom?” She asked mockingly.

He smiled back and thinned his voice to answer, “No you didn’t finish your soup no dessert for you. Now go to bed young lady.”

Tara nodded her head and saluted him while heading to her room.

Xander plopped down on the couch, set his watch on alarm mode and drifted off into a fitful sleep thinking about the best way to get through his partner’s thick head.

In the other room the troubled woman also slept uneasily; she tossed and turned as she battled with the unimaginable images that can only be conjured by the darkest of nightmares.


Next update: Morning in L.A

[db]

Ok this is starting to get erie - I swear I'm not stalking you. Really.

So. FB -It is good to know that Tara is getting a bit more introspective - though I am glad that you didn't make it all 100% clarity and enlightenment all at once.

Xander is a good friend and I am looking forward to hearing their talk in the morning.

Keep up the good work!

db

[WillowRulez]

Xander is so sweet. He really is an overgrown teddybear... what ep was it again in which he is wearing that dummy fatsuit? Anyway, I had that image in my mind hihi... and I kept thinking of Xander making grilled cheese like that (hey, it's late here)
Can't wait for the talk!

[Tarababy77]

Go Xan Man!!! Putting his foot down and getting her to eat something. The heart to heart sounds like it's going to be a tear-jerker. Anyhoo, great update and i'll be more paitent, heehee. Smiles. =)