"Mission Statement" (Post-Season 6)

[Urn of Osiris]

Well I figure honesty can't hurt plus I am addicted now, and crap I am hungry for more.



So Thanks for the Very good fic. I just love the fic on this board.



Urn

_________________________**

WILLOW: That's a work ethic! Buffy, you're developing a work ethic.

BUFFY: Oh, no. Do they make an ointment for that

[Thanatopsis]

Glad to see Tara wasn't upset that Willow was researching her (heh heh, um, sorry got distracted for a moment), but I didn't think she would be. She's been amazingly insightful so far, why stop now? I'm not gonna question who's at the door, cause you'll just be all cryptic. My question instead is, if it is her family, why would they want her stuff? That's more of a general quesion, I guess.

Because he's with Willow. And if something ... happened, I'd know...
Insist upon yourself and never imitate. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

[LeatherQueen]

Ah... a new visitor, come to get Tara's "stuff". This next part should be interesting. And I love how Tara complimented Xander on his cleaned-up look and clothes. Great update!

--------------------------------


"But when they're playing your song on the jukebox in Hell, you might as well dance." - K. Simpson


"Futile... like a FOX, baby!" - Tara in The Late Shift by wiccachica

[Bagheera]

snuggle79 - No worries. My mother was born in Stuttgart, but has lived in Australia for the past 42 years. I last visited Germany in 1998 and now I want to save my dollars and see the Football World Cup in 2006.



Urn - My sincere thanks.

Quote:

---

I just love the fic on this board.

---

I tend to agree, though I'm currently battling with the structure and wording of the finale, so I haven't the time to enjoy any of the other writing here. I'll have a good look around when this is done.



Thanatopsis - "Researching Tara" - another vote. Is it just me, or do you think of skimpy clothes, sports bras, and taping lots of electrodes to bare skin? Just me, then.



LeatherQueen - Thanks. Xander's more than just the "smooth" version we saw in "The Replacement". He's now being truthful to himself, so for sure he'll be taking more pride in his appearance and not spending as much time slumped on the couch with his head in the chip bag. And nice of to notice - she's so sweet, for a vampire.

A black shadow dropped down into the circle. It was Bagheera
the Black Panther, inky black all over, but with the panther markings showing up in certain lights like the pattern of watered
silk.
Rudyard Kipling

[Jennpurr]

WOW, B. Some update there.



I was wondering if Tara would ever see the e-mail that Wesley sent to Willow. I'm glad her reaction was the way it was. I was kinda worried about that.



I'm wondering who is at the door, too. I was thinking at first that it was one the vamp minions trying to get access into the house, but then everyone else thinking it was Tara's brother, made me wonder. Interesting.



Xander reading that passage of writing. That was incredibly erotic, B. WOW... I might have to check out some of her stuff. Quite the images, there. I like how Tara noticed, too, that Xander was cleaning up his appearance some. He could have used a major make over on the show. I wonder what he'll be like this season.



All in all, good update. I'm hoping Tara can get through some more to Buffy. Make her see that she can trust her.



Looking forward to more,

Jen



Edited: OH... and about The One, I caught onto what you re-quoted after I had read it. I'm very intrigued by this One, to say the last. Can't wait to see what you have instore for us. I just hope Tara will be okay.



Hey B, can you post that link to the full text version. I would love to take a look at it.

* * * * * *
Quotes from Melissa Etheridge on 8/10/02, in The Woodlands, TX

"I've been to every, one of Melissa Etheridge's concerts! ... No, really, I have!"
"THAT, is a bat! ... Hey, does it have a ticket? ... It doesn't have a ticket!"

Edited by: Jennpurr at: 8/22/02 5:30:42 pm

[Bagheera]

Jen -

Wes' e-mail - It was a troubling document, but Tara knows that she hasn't preyed on Willow, so she couldn't be too upset. It could possibly give her some insights into how Buffy is feeling (just thought of that point now)

At the door - next update.

J.S. le Fanu - the JS stands for Joseph Sheridan, actually. "Carmilla" and "Green Tea" are probably his better known short stories. Both can be found at the end of the supplied link. He was Irish, in case anyone wants to know. And that passage - it's the vampire Carmilla speaking to the narrator/victim and is probably the most impassioned dialogue in the story. Poor Carmilla, evil of course, and all the men in the story gang up on her and stake her. Not very nice.

Re tidied-up Xander - first stage in exploring your sexuality - make yourself look more attractive, I suppose. Agree re need for major makeover for the Xand-man

Re PS: Link to "Carmilla" - isn't it working? It works fine for me. Otherwise, go here:

www.english.upenn.edu/~na.../crml.html



B.

A black shadow dropped down into the circle. It was Bagheera
the Black Panther, inky black all over, but with the panther markings showing up in certain lights like the pattern of watered
silk.
Rudyard Kipling

[Jennpurr]

Hey, B,



I'll agree. His e-mail was troubling, but I think, like you said, that Tara may have actually gained some insight from it. If not about herself, then like you said, maybe something to help Buffy with. I wonder if it would help if Buffy read it? I don't know. I just hate to see Tara treated this way.



K. I'm holding tightly to the edge of my chair, waiting to see who is at the door.



Ooops, sorry. Don't know why I called him a she. I need to stop doing that. That short story sounds interesting, to say the least. I may read it. It's funny reading or seeing portrayals of Vampirism from back in the day and comparing it to now. Things have changed so much. Its cool to see. I'd be interested to see his take on it, even if it does have a sad ending.



Hmmm... I guess Xander making himself look more attractive, makes him more comfortable?? I don't know. I tend to just go naturally and not spend too much time fixing myself up, that's just me, but I can understand why he would want to. It's like polishing a new car, maybe? He wants to appear at his best?



Sorry. Yes, that link was working fine. I just accidentally skipped over it and didn't see it somehow. I'll go check it out.



Thank you, B. Will there be an update tonight, or Tom? I'm just curious.



Have a good night.



Jen

* * * * * *

"Oh, man. I wish I WAS a lesbian. I would get laid every night for the rest of my life." ~ Amber Benson

[Bagheera]

Hi Jen -

Buffy and Wes' e-mail? Buffy never does the reading. I wonder if she has ADD or something, she never seems to be able to concentrate on anything.

"Carmilla" - it's not a bad read if you can put up with an insipid victim/narrator and the ritual blood-letting at the end. Given its status as the best-known vampire story to explore a lesbian theme I thought it was important to go through it before I undertook this story. It is also the basis of two films, "Vampyr (1932)" and "Blood and Roses (1960)". So if you want to skip the reading, the back of the local video store might be a place to look.

Xander - I love the "new car" analogy, that's absolutely perfect.

Update in about 24 hours. Couple of last minute edits were needed to tidy it up.

A black shadow dropped down into the circle. It was Bagheera
the Black Panther, inky black all over, but with the panther markings showing up in certain lights like the pattern of watered
silk.
Rudyard Kipling

[Bagheera]

Dedication: This update is dedicated to a Kitten named Beth, who sent me a couple of private messages a few weeks back. One of them contained the germ of the idea that became this update. It was a helpful insight, Beth, and here’s the result of you sharing it with me. Thank you.



Rating: M15 Adult themes.



Tara dashed to the doorway and took Dawn by the shoulder. “Dawn, I think I might handle this,” she said quietly. The teenager nodded and slipped away back into the house. The blonde witch leaned against the door post, looking without expression at the visitor.



“Tara? Ain’t you s’posed to be dead? You mind tellin’ me what the hell is goin’ on?” the visitor asked. Tara in turn looked suspiciously at her brother, for the unexpected visitor was Donny himself, looking much the same as the last time Tara had seen him, on the memorable occasion of her twentieth birthday.



“I think we’ll talk out here,” Tara said evenly, stepping onto the porch. There was something odd about Donny’s manner that Tara for the moment could not put her finger on. She only knew that for a multitude of reasons she definitely did not want him to set foot in the house.



“What’s the matter? You don’t have a hug for your big brother?”



“I don’t think so,” Tara said, folding her arms across her chest. “I think we said everything we needed to say the last time you were in town.”



“So, what, all that about you bein’ dead was a fake? You shut us out of your life and you decided to do it for good? The telegram, the letters, all of it was lies?”



“None of you decided to come to town and see for yourselves?” Tara avoided the question adroitly.



“You were the one who turned your back on your family. Daddy said you’d dishonoured us enough, we weren’t to…”



“Daddy said,” Tara spat. “And his word was always law, wasn’t it?”



“Rightly so. He was head of the family.”



“You were never family. My only family died when I was seventeen,” Tara said furiously. “The rest of you were relations. My family is here.” Donny was silent for a moment, a little cowed by Tara’s anger and her apparent lack of fear. He wasn’t used to this Tara, and it unnerved him. “So, now, months later you show up in town. Why, Donny?”



“Life’s tough up our way Tara, as you know well enough. I’m lookin’ for work, whatever I can git. I found myself close by to Sunnydale, thought I’d drop by and pick up your ole stuff, and put some flowers on your grave.” Donny held up a bunch of bare stems, with the heads roughly torn off. Tara stared at them and back at Donny. Something was so not right. “Why’d you go to all the trouble of puttin’ up a gravestone with no body under it?”



“You’re making a lot of assumptions, Donny,” Tara warned, edging closer to the porch light so that she could scrutinize her brother’s face more closely. “Did you visit the cemetery after sunset? It’s usually closed after dark.” she asked innocently.



“Ho! You think a little thing like a locked gate would hold me back, little sister?”



“You fool, Donny,” Tara said, a little sadly. “You know, no-one lied to you. The shooting, the funeral, all of it was true. No-one faked anything. That’s my tombstone in Sunnydale cemetery.”



“Then what in the hell is goin’ on?” Donny demanded. “You witches did a spell, huh? Raised you, brought you back so you can live whatever life you want?”



“You think I wasn’t living the life I wanted anyway?”



“So you still livin’ with that witch, the little red one? Is she here? I’d like to talk to her.”



“Sure, Donny, come on in.” Tara smiled to herself and walked back through the open front door. Donny made to follow, but was stopped at the doorway as if by an invisible wall. He stared in astonishment, attempted to enter the house again, and was again rebuffed.



“What are you?” Donny demanded, looking Tara up and down, completely confused.



“You’ll never figure it out Donny,” Tara turned and smiled at him. “All my life, you and Daddy kept telling me I had demon in me. If I tried to tell you it wasn’t true, you’d beat me for being a liar. I saw Daddy treat Mom the same, I saw him bring you up not to respect her. Don’t think I’ve forgotten. I used to wonder who the real monsters were in my family. I used to lie in bed and wish and pray that it wasn’t Mom and me. Well, Donny, how’s it feel? Who’s the demon now, Donny? Hmm?”



“Damn you Tara! Let me in this house!” Donny yelled.



“I invite you in, Donny,” Tara laughed in his face, and her brother snarled as he again attempted unsuccessfully to cross the threshold. Dawn, hearing the commotion, came out to the front hall and stood behind Tara, watching what was happening with wide eyes. Tara noticed her and reached out a hand, which Dawn took and held. “It’s okay Dawnie, he’ll be leaving in a moment.”



“The hell I will!” Donny raged.



“You can stay on the front lawn ‘til sunrise for all I care,” Tara said, “but I ought to warn you there’s a Slayer lives in this house. She’ll be home pretty soon, and she might be in a mood to dust your shoes, if you take my meaning. I suggest you climb back into your pickup and drive home, Donny. If you drive all night, you might just get home an hour after sunup.”



“And why don’t you come with me? You’re no more human than I am! Tara, if you don't get in that car, I swear I will beat you down.”



“You don’t even want to think about trying. No. I’m staying here for the same reasons I stayed last time, Donny. Everything that I love, everything that really matters, is under this roof.”



“Just go,” Dawn added quietly. Donny looked the pair up and down for a long moment, spat on the doorstep and stalked off. Tara closed the door on his retreating figure. “What in frilly heck was all that about? How come he couldn’t come in? I heard you invite him twice,” the teenager wondered.



“Vampires can only be invited in by someone living in a house. I’m not living, remember?”



“Clever trick,” Dawn smiled. “Shouldn’t you umm -.” Dawn made a downward stabbing movement with her right fist.



Tara made an unhappy face. “He deserves something for what he did to me, but if I staked him, I’d be no better. I’ll stake vamps in a fight, but all he did was yell at me.”



“You could throw down with him, make it a fair fight,” Dawn suggested.



“Me and one vampire? Hardly fair,” Tara smiled without humour. “Can you do me a favour, Dawn?” the teen nodded. “Give my cousin Beth a call, warn her about Donny. Don’t be too specific, just say he came by and he’s looking to make trouble and she’s not to invite him into her house, okay? Donny’s kinda dumb, he’s likely not to make it home in one piece, but, you know, just in case, I wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt by him. I’d call myself, but there’d be way too much explaining to do.” Dawn nodded and went to get the telephone handset. Tara helped Dawn obtain the number, then left her to it. “Dawn. Thanks.” Tara kissed Dawn lightly on the forehead and went upstairs to Willow’s bedroom.



(To be continued)

[tiredsoul]

I so did not see that coming. Cool twist and the jerko brother got what he deserved. I like how Tara played him as well as how she held back from staking him right then and there.

---------------------------------

"That was just rude. Now I forget what I was saying."

[xita]

Ahh Tara took care of Donny , the whole vampire thing was a surprise! But I like the confidence she has in that there is no way one vampire is going to be a problem for her... she acts like the older vampires when really, she's just been turned. It is another interesting facet to this vampire without a soul.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Childie -"Not all girls are raving bloody lesbians, you know!"

George - "That's a misfortune of which I am perfectly well aware."

The Killing of Sister George

[Jennpurr]

Hey, B.



Glad you liked my analogy about the new car and comparing it to Xander.



Hee... I loved Tara's little sneaky way of inviting her brother in the house, knowing he wouldn't be able to come in. HA!! Serves him right. That was unexpected though, the vampire part. I so didn't see that coming.



It was a small thing, but I thought it was very touching when Dawn took Tara's hand. It so easy to forget that Tara isn't her old human self anymore. I have to keep reminding myself of that fact.



Loved the update and can't wait for more. Will we get some Willow/Tara stuff in the next one?? I'm kinda worried about Willow. I hope she's okay.



Thank you, B.

Jen

* * * * * *

"Oh, man. I wish I WAS a lesbian. I would get laid every night for the rest of my life." ~ Amber Benson

Quote from Melissa Etheridge on 8/10/2002, in The Woodlands, TX
"THAT is a bat! ... Does it have a ticket? ... It doesn't have a ticket!"

[Bagheera]

tiredsoul - thank you. I struggled a bit with what Tara would do, once I decided that Donny was going to show up vamped. I think I sorted it out in the end.



xita - I see the major factors giving : --> her power being her underlying intellect and wisdom from her human side and the fact that she's a witch. They give her a substantial edge. In part 6, twenty vampires weren't enough to take her. She also spent the hiatus between Season 5 & 6 patrolling with the Buffybot, so she knows plenty of moves.



Jen - Thank you. Liking the little Dawn/Tara moments? Dawn's such a nice kid, I like her, so I gave her a special role in this story. The first one to open up to the "bot", the first to find out the truth, covering for T/W, now looking after Willow. More from the shiny-haired one later.

W/T stuff next? Um, well since Tara's just gone upstairs to the bedroom, it's got to be a probability. Unless I decide to write that Xander/Anya coming out vignette, but I think I'll save that for another time when I'm a bit less tired. I'm just winding up the draft of Episode 11; for some reason it's a bit of a grind at the moment.



All the best,

B.

A black shadow dropped down into the circle. It was Bagheera
the Black Panther, inky black all over, but with the panther markings showing up in certain lights like the pattern of watered
silk.
Rudyard Kipling

[Bagheera]

Rating: MA-15+



“Willow? Darling, are you awake?” Tara whispered. Willow lay under the covers still in her day clothes, her shoulder length hair a cascade of red spilling over the pillow. Caught in the dim light from the hall, the hacker’s face looked pale but at peace.



Tara closed the door behind her, tiptoed into the bedroom and sat upon the edge of the bed next to her lover. The extra tilt in the mattress roused Willow from slumber. She yawned and blinked in that special way that Tara found so adorable. The blonde reached over and turned one bedside lamp on.



“Tara?” Willow whispered sleepily, holding out her arms. The vampire sank gratefully into the redhead’s warm embrace and they kissed, deeply but gently. “I knew you’d come. I’ve had the worst day.” And Tara could see at once that the tranquility she saw on Willow’s face as she slept had been but an illusion. Tara drew Willow into a deep comforting hug.



“See – seeing you shot,” Willow hesitated. “It felt like something broke inside me.” She tilted up her face, hungry to be kissed again. Tara obliged, gently squeezing her beloved’s lips between her own, reaching one hand behind Willow’s head to rest in the comfort of those soft red tresses. Willow moaned and parted her lips, freeing her tongue to meet and mingle with Tara’s in a sinuous embrace.



“What happened today?” Tara mumbled during a momentary break between kisses. Not waiting for the answer she lay beside Willow and let her hands roam gently over her lover’s body, touching her lightly and teasingly through her clothes.



“A lot of stuff came back,” Willow said, arching her back and loosening her garments, giving every encouragement to Tara to reach within and touch her properly, skin to skin. She urgently sought Tara’s mouth again, drinking the blonde in, savouring her. “Everything I did and said to everybody when I was on the magic. How I felt; how I feel now...”



“Do you need to talk about it?” Tara hesitated.



“Later. Oh Tara, tonight I need you to touch me. I need it all,” Willow sobbed, tugging at Tara’s shirt.



“May I keep that on?” Tara whispered.



“Oh! Oh, darling I’m so sorry.”



“Shh, don’t be,” Tara guided Willow’s hands to her jeans and the redhead expertly undid them, while Tara did the same for her. The vampire gently peeled Willow’s shirt over her head, and an instant later Willow was naked from the waist up. Tara sighed happily and lowered her grateful blonde head to Willow’s shapely breasts, kissing, teasing with her tongue, caressing and pinching with firm but tender fingers, setting her dear Willow aflame with every touch.



Groaning, Willow shook her way out of her few remaining clothes and helped Tara disrobe until only Tara’s torn shirt remained. “I missed you so much today, Tara,” she whispered, shuddering as the blonde’s caresses sent waves of electric pleasure coursing up and down her body.



“I’m sorry, darling,” Tara whispered back, as she eased a tentative finger, then a second, into the wetness of Willow’s ripe, ready centre. Willow groaned again softly, and Tara sighed too, the pleasure she could feel in her lover’s body and read on her face driving the blonde witch to distraction. “I’ll make it up to you,” she murmured, smothering Willow with kisses.



“This - is - a good start,” Willow grunted when she was able to catch her breath. The redhead parted her legs and arched her back, pushing back against those gentle, magical fingers that were taking her inexorably to the peaks of ecstasy. Tara took one of Willow’s fair thighs between her own, squeezing herself against it passionately. For a few minutes there was near-silence as the lovers applied themselves to the rhythms of each other’s bodies, keeping perfect tempo. Only Willow’s gasps and answering groans from Tara, rising inexorably in volume, broke the silence. Finally, with a sobbed, “Tara!” the redhead gave herself body and soul to her orgasm. For a long time they clung together, enjoying the simple pleasure of their bodies in contact, bringing each other back to the present with gentle kisses and caresses.



“Are you ready to tell me about your day?” Tara whispered eventually. Willow responded by burying her head against Tara’s shoulder.



“When I was – on the magic, it was like every mean awful thought I’d ever had about anyone I cared about was all coming out at once,” Willow murmured. “I tried to talk about it with Dawn when she came in to see me today, but I couldn’t put a single thought straight. I mean, I love Dawn, and I know she was trying to help me, but all I did was attack her and – oh Goddess, Tara, I threatened to kill her! To turn her back into Key energy so that I wouldn’t have to listen to her whining. And Dawn doesn’t whine – all the time, right?”



“But that’s not really the point is it, Willow?” Tara countered. “You were full of dark, evil magic, the only thoughts and words and deeds that can ever come out in those circumstances are your worst ones. You simply weren’t capable of kind words or thoughts or actions with that stuff in you.”



“But to threaten to kill her, at the time I really meant it…”



“Willow, you have a mother’s love for Dawn, don’t you?” Willow nodded, taking Tara’s hand in hers and kissing it, tasting herself on it. “I can’t say I’m an expert, but I guess lots of parents have bad or violent feelings about their children from time to time. When they get angry. You can’t love someone that much to not feel that way. How about your own mother?”



“Well,” Willow hesitated, “This one time, my mom tried to burn me at the stake.” She looked at Tara, realised how ridiculous it sounded and burst into giggles.



“Oh my,” Tara laughed, putting a hand over her mouth. “What did you DO to make her that mad?” she teased.



“Me?” Willow almost shrieked. “I didn’t do anything, honestly! Everybody’s parents went a little stupid that week. I mean, Joyce was going to burn Buffy right alongside me.”



“Joyce? No! I can’t even imagine it.”



“Does this really help me with what I did and said to Dawn?”



“I hope so, Will. You threatened her, you said some terrible things, but you didn’t actually hurt her. Even at your worst, you’re not such a terrible person, don’t you think?”



“I don’t know,” Willow sighed. “Can I – see your wound now?” Tara nodded, and pulled off her shirt, tossing it into the corner of the room. Just on the inner curve of her left breast, there was a round angry red hole. “Does it – does it hurt?”



“Not much,” the vampire answered. “There’s another here, but I can’t see it.” The blonde turned, and at the edge of the left shoulder blade, there was a shallow pink depression with a central crater.



“It’s bigger than the other one,” Willow commented. Gingerly, the redhead reached out and touched the raw flesh. When Willow let her hand drop, the vampire turned to face her lover and embraced her. “I guess it brings it home to me,” the redhead murmured, half to herself.



“What, darling?”



“How different you are,” Willow said. “You’re the Tara who gets shot, but you don’t die. I’m - grateful, but it’s a little scary.”



“Is it too scary?”



“I don’t know.” Willow hugged Tara tightly, and kissed her. “Did I mention that I wanted it all, tonight?”



(To be continued)

[LeatherQueen]

Ooh, a couple of great parts here Bagheera. Tara with her nasty, now-vamped brother, and that lovely piece with Willow and Tara together. And this really will bring it home for Willow... just how different this Tara is, as a vampire.



Great updates!

--------------------------------


"But when they're playing your song on the jukebox in Hell, you might as well dance." - K. Simpson


"Futile... like a FOX, baby!" - Tara in The Late Shift by wiccachica

[tiredsoul]

"And Dawn doesn't whine - all the time." LOL I like the dig. It's cool how Willow is starting to accept Tara as she was returned to her. A vampire Tara is better that no Tara, right?

---------------------------------

"That was just rude. Now I forget what I was saying."

[Bagheera]

LeatherQueen - Thank you very much. Glad you thought W/T time was lovely.



tiredsoul - spotted the little needle at Dawn, well done! Willow accepting to a point, but : --> is still a scary prospect. "Too scary?" "I don't know, but be with me tonight, help me through this."



Take care,



B.

A black shadow dropped down into the circle. It was Bagheera
the Black Panther, inky black all over, but with the panther markings showing up in certain lights like the pattern of watered
silk.
Rudyard Kipling

[xita]

Hmm, I love Tara taking care of Willow like that. But there is Willow's concern about whether she can handle what Tara is. I love the way Tara realizes that and doesn't take it personally but rather understands Willow.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Childie -"Not all girls are raving bloody lesbians, you know!"

George - "That's a misfortune of which I am perfectly well aware."

The Killing of Sister George

[snuggle79]

Lovely update!

Yeah, it must be kinda scary for Willow to have this different Tara now. I loved their conversation.

hey, cool, that you're planning to visit Germany for the next Worldcup. I can't wait for that one too, cause some of the matches are going to be in my little town too. We have a new big stadium since almost 1 1/2 years. So, i'm pretty excited to see all kind of people of different countries.

Tara:"Maybe we dreamed it."

Willow:"Right. Right. Wrong! (points at her head ) Different Brains." Tara:"Oh yeah."


Bitch! Witch! Ho!..mo!"

[Bagheera]

Xita - Ah, thanks. I like the way you read this and respond on the level of W/T's emotions and relationship. I do try to put that across, it's difficult for them both.



snuggle79 - Thank you, glad you liked it. If I'm going to get to the World Cup, gotta save up some money first! Which is your "little" town?



All the best,



B.

A black shadow dropped down into the circle. It was Bagheera
the Black Panther, inky black all over, but with the panther markings showing up in certain lights like the pattern of watered
silk.
Rudyard Kipling

[Bagheera]

Rating PG-13 Adult themes

Song credit: “The Briar and The Rose” Waits/Burroughs



The following evening, Tara played alone at the Espresso Pump, although her thoughts were ever with Willow, sleeping at home under Dawn’s watchful eye. Breakfast that morning with Buffy had been a tense affair, but there had been no aggressive words exchanged, just a harsh politeness that excluded intimacy. The vampire and the witch had then spent most of the day in bed, making love, talking and meditating together. It had not been altogether a happy time. Tara felt as though she had now lived through every second of Willow’s excursion into dark magic; every thought, every word, every deed. At least now she had some insight into all that Willow had suffered, the vampire reflected. And it had been suffering, every moment of it, both in the experience and in the recollection. Distracted, Tara stumbled over a phrase in her playing, looked up at the audience, realised that her thoughts were a million miles away and covered up as best she could with a quick flourish of her pick.



When the tall kindly-looking gent in the linen suit entered the coffee shop and sat, Tara at first paid no attention, but when she took a second glance, and noticed the green skin, red eyes and the short horns sprouting from the forehead, Tara suddenly bent all of her attention upon him. It was odd. Most of the patrons paid him no mind; a few made a double take when they noticed his appearance, but then they settled back to what they had been doing. Was this the normal bovine Sunnydale mindset, or something new? Did they just assume it was a mask and make-up, because his kind smile and twinkling eyes looked so human?



Tara played on and sang:



I picked the rose one early morn

I pricked my finger on a thorn

It had grown so high

Its winding wove the briar around the rose



I tried to tear them both apart

I felt a bullet in my heart

And all dressed up in spring’s new clothes

The briar and the rose



And when I’m buried in my grave



Tell me so I will know

Your tears will fall

To make love grow

The briar and the rose



When her playing was finished for the evening, Tara packed her guitar away. Perhaps noticing that she was alone, a few more patrons than usual came up to her and congratulated her on the gig. Tara smiled and thanked them, though her thoughts were torn between Willow at home and the mysterious green-skinned stranger. When the crowd thinned and the last autograph was signed, Tara stood and walked to the counter to see Ray.



The proprietor handed Tara her money and pointed out the stranger. “Remember the guy I said was coming to see you? That’s him right there. He looks a bit weird, but he’s okay.” That was all that Ray would say about him, so Tara turned and approached his table.



The green-skinned one saw Tara coming, smiled and waved her to a seat. “Well, I’m especially privileged tonight, aren’t I?” he began. The voice was deceptively human, soft and gentle, belying the tall, solid frame of the stranger. “Forgive me, Tara, it’s very rude of me. I’m Lorne.”



“Hi,” the vampire said, extending him her hand across the table. Lorne took it and squeezed delicately.



“I came here tonight for two reasons,” Lorne continued. “I’d heard about this major new talent in Sunnydale that I should come and check out. You’re suspicious, I understand that. I’m in the industry; I’ve cut a couple of CDs myself. The people I work with are always looking for good talent to sign. You have golden tonsils, my dear. You’re good. You’re very good, but I wonder if you’ve found your style yet.”



“Not really,” Tara answered. “I just play stuff I like. And the second reason?”



“Ah. You may have noticed that I’m not exactly – human.” Tara flashed him a lopsided grin as if to say, “no, really?” Lorne smiled back. “I have a talent. I listen to people sing, and I get insights – into them and their future.”



Tara sat up, a thrill coursing down her spine. What had Lorne seen?



“I’ve been hearing whispers from here and there about something big rising in Sunnydale. Then I hear about you. Sunnydale folk don’t seem to have noticed, but you died a few months back. I’ve got friends who keep a close eye on what goes on here. Naturally, my curiosity got the better of me.”



”What did you see?” Tara asked, dry-mouthed.



“Well, if there is a Big Bad rising in Sunnydale, it’s not you. You Tara are the Big Unknown. Honey, you’re the dark side of the moon, if I can use a tired metaphor.”



“That’s actually kind of reassuring,” Tara said.



“But one thing I can say. I’m not just talking about your musical career here, but I think you’ve got what it takes to go all the way. But it’ll be just a little while before you find what you’re looking for. The looking could be – difficult, painful even, and you may need to look in an unexpected place.”



Tara considered this. “Okay. Okay, thanks. So, what happens now, Lorne?”



“I can’t tell you any more about what you’re doing here in Sunnydale, but musically, I think there’s a future for you. First you need to find your style. Then, we think about recording you.”



“What do you suggest?”



“Keep experimenting, it’s doing great things for you. But expand your horizons. How about playing a couple of gigs fronting a group? I have some contacts, I can hook you up with some session players, arrange a promoter.”



“I really can’t leave Sunnydale right now.”



“That’s okay, they’re local. Can you rehearse during the day?”



“I – can manage. Depends on the location.”



“That’s a very diplomatic answer,” Lorne smiled knowingly.



“Okay, I’m in. You’ll be in touch?” The green-skinned demon nodded. “Well, I’d really better be going, there’s someone I’m supposed to be looking after…”



“I got that much,” Lorne nodded. “You go to her, she’s lucky to have you.”



“I wonder, sometimes,” Tara muttered to herself as she left the Espresso Pump.



End of Episode 1.7

A black shadow dropped down into the circle. It was Bagheera
the Black Panther, inky black all over, but with the panther markings showing up in certain lights like the pattern of watered
silk.
Rudyard Kipling

[snuggle79]

Cool, Lorne showed up and offered Tara a big career.

Great idea and great update!

My towns name is Gelsenkirchen, doesn't say much to ya, right? Well, it's near to big towns like Cologne or Düsseldorf, I'm sure you've heard about those, right?

Tara:"Maybe we dreamed it."

Willow:"Right. Right. Wrong! (points at her head ) Different Brains." Tara:"Oh yeah."


Bitch! Witch! Ho!..mo!"

[tiredsoul]

Lorne showing up should add a little more intrigue, especially with the "Big Unknown" comment. Good to know that she won't be the big bad here.



I liked the part where Tara was reflecting on her time with Willow, feeling like she had gone through everything as Willow had. I don't know, it just made me think how horrible it would be to go through someone's dark time like that.



As always, great update.



--celia

---------------------------------

"That was just rude. Now I forget what I was saying."

[Bagheera]

snuggle79 - thanks. I thought it would be nice to cross Lorne over and have a chat with Tara, muso to muso as it were. You live in a lovely part of Germany. I've never been to Gelsenkirchen, but I really like Koln. Viel mehr Kolsch, bitte!



tiredsoul - Thank you Celia, once again a reflective Tara. And yes, a bit of mystery and intrigue from the tall green fella. Glad you're a little reassured about Tara.

A black shadow dropped down into the circle. It was Bagheera
the Black Panther, inky black all over, but with the panther markings showing up in certain lights like the pattern of watered
silk.
Rudyard Kipling

Edited by: Bagheera at: 8/26/02 8:09:26 pm

[xita]

Lorne not came with hope for Tara, it's clear she is not a big bad, or a bad of any sort, but that still doesn't relieve her concern about it, because at the end Tara is still wondering if she's good for Willow poor Tara

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Childie -"Not all girls are raving bloody lesbians, you know!"

George - "That's a misfortune of which I am perfectly well aware."

The Killing of Sister George

[Bagheera]

Xita - Thanks as always for insightful comment. And it is a sad time for Tara. Willow is showing signs of recovery, but it's difficult and painful, and Tara is questioning whether this is a good thing for Willow or not. At the end of the day, she's still a vampire, how can she make Willow completely happy?



Hoping I'm not turning Kitties off with the pain level here, but this now ends the easy paced part of this story. It's past half-way; from here the story rushes ever onward to the end (I hope; it's not quite done yet). Stay tuned for Episode 8 and some "Bad Dreams"

Everybody knew Bagheera, and nobody cared to cross his
path; for he was as cunning as Tabaqui, as bold as the wild buffalo, and as reckless as the wounded elephant. But he had a voice as soft as wild honey dripping from a tree, and a skin softer than down. Rudyard Kipling

[the vamp nurd]

Bagheera,

Balls it's not just footballs .

Lovely updates.

The vamp nurd purrs like a kitten.

Donny got screwed. woo hoo!

[Jennpurr]

Quote:

---

“I got that much,” Lorne nodded. “You go to her, she’s lucky to have you.”



“I wonder, sometimes,” Tara muttered to herself as she left the Espresso Pump.

---

Awww... makes me want to cry that Tara would doubt that.



Hey, B. Sorry I've been a little absent lately. I've been keeping up with the reading though. Still enjoying it.



You know, even though the conversation was somewhat sad, I really loved the scene, last update, with W/T. That was so beautiful. I still hate that Willow has to carry around all the bad memories about what happened. There was something touching about Willow wanting to see Tara's scars though and it bringing home to her that this Tara IS different.



Lorne. I was trying to remember which part it was in where he was mentioned before? I keep thinking of one of the demons that was on Angel, last season, I believe? The description of him, anyway. Hmm... I'm curious as to what he was talking about. The Big Bad that's rising and what it has to do with Tara?? Very interesting.



I do agree that Tara could easily score a record deal. That would be so cool. Then, she wouldn't have to worry about Dawn's education. She'd have the money. Well, some of it.



DUDE... so looking forward to more.



Thanks, B.



Jen

* * * * * *

"Oh, man. I wish I WAS a lesbian. I would get laid every night for the rest of my life." ~ Amber Benson

Quote from Melissa Etheridge on 8/10/2002, in The Woodlands, TX
"THAT is a bat! ... Does it have a ticket? ... It doesn't have a ticket!"

[Bagheera]

the vamp nurd - Thank you. Donny more nibbled than screwed, but I get the idea. Always happy to see/hear a Kitten purring



Jen,

Tara's questioning if she's good for Willow, because poor has been going through so much lately; the pain of her reliving being shot, the memories of her DMW time; Tara hates seeing Willow suffering I think. Glad you were touched by W/T scene in Pt 4, that's what I hoped to convey, Tara's tenderness and caring, Willow seeing first-hand that this is a different Tara to the one she knew.

Lorne aka "The Host" runs the demon karaoke bar in LA that kept getting blown up or burnt down. Towards the end of last season of "Angel" he recorded a CD, so he's clearly in "the industry". No doubt Tara could secure some kind of record deal, but it's a long way to fame and fortune yet. But it is an ideal career for a vampire. "going to bed in the morning, breakfast in the afternoon" - Dave Graney

I'll start Epi. 8 when I get home from work. What a busy day it's been.



and {{hugs}} B.

Everybody knew Bagheera, and nobody cared to cross his
path; for he was as cunning as Tabaqui, as bold as the wild buffalo, and as reckless as the wounded elephant. But he had a voice as soft as wild honey dripping from a tree, and a skin softer than down. Rudyard Kipling

[Bagheera]

“Mission Statement” Episode 1.8 “Bad Dreams”



Disclaimer: JW, ME, blah blah. You owned them, you screwed up, my turn, later.



Rating: NC-17 Horror, high level violence, profoundly disturbing images, explicit sexual references. Sensitive Kittens beware. Seriously nasty stuff happens in this episode. Sorry.



Update: Tara has returned to Willow as a vampire, but their love endures. The rest of the Scoobies recently found out that Tara was a vampire. She had previously been pretending to be a bot. Buffy seems the most hostile, while Xander and Dawn have been quite accepting. Tara was shot and wounded in a recent kidnapping attempt by a gang of vampires led by the odious Chastity, acting on the orders of an as yet unidentified One. The shock of seeing this again has brought much of Willow’s past back to her; she is struggling to deal with the damage done during her dark magic rampage. It is a couple of weeks since Episode 1.7.



In a red-draped chamber lit with a hundred candles, Willow and Tara were gently making love. Beyond the glow of the candle flames, the walls were invisible, fading into an impenetrable blackness. On the floor beside the bed there was a crimson rug embroidered with a pentagram in thick gold thread. A simple earthenware pot had been placed at one point of the pentagram, in its bottom a pinch of metallic grey powder. At the other points of the star, incense sticks smoked.



Willow lay on top of Tara, her Willowhands working their erotic magic. Beneath her, the blonde witch writhed and groaned in ecstasy, raking Willow’s back with her nails, letting her fingers wander and lose themselves in the hacker’s thick red hair. The blonde’s full breasts strained against Willow’s, both women’s nipples pebble-hard with passion.



With a final rapturous shriek, Tara came, arching her back, crushing her lips against Willow’s, lifting the redhead’s body into the air as the pleasurable spasms coursed through her. Willow smiled and shook her tangled hair, her dancing eyes gazing deeply into the soft blue pools of her one and only.



“Tara, darling, drink me,” she sighed. The blonde only groaned by way of answer, seizing the redhead, rolling her onto her back and parting her legs in a single, swift movement. Tara’s blonde head traveled languorously down Willow’s body as the vampire licked her way over the redhead’s fair freckled skin, ever onwards towards her inevitable goal.



“No Tara, drink me, oh drink me!” Willow cried, tilting her head back, exposing the full length of her slender, irresistible neck. Tara, suddenly in vampire face, fangs bared, slid quickly back up Willow’s body and bit, gently at first but with gradually increasing force, at the base of the redhead’s throat. Rills of dark blood welled from the wound, which Tara drank greedily.



Willow gasped in ecstasy. “More! Drink it all,” she moaned, holding Tara’s head against her. As the flow grew more sluggish, Tara sat up and slashed herself across one breast with a sharp talon. She bent back down over Willow, pressing her wound against her lover’s lips. With her last ounce of strength, Willow gulped Tara’s blood, sighed blissfully and sank, fading, onto the mattress.



In the darkness of her bedroom, Willow gasped for air and sat up, snapping on her bedside lamp. Her naked chest, dripping sweat, heaved convulsively. She pulled the bed sheets tightly around her throat, as if to shield herself, turned and to her astonishment, saw that Tara was also sitting up awake and that the vampire looked terrified.



“Okay,” Willow panted when she finally caught her breath. “What the frilly heck was that?”



“A nightmare,” Tara said, reaching out her arms to embrace Willow.



“Don’t touch me!” Willow cried instinctively. Her heart dropped through the floor when she saw Tara’s crestfallen expression. “Oh Tara, baby, I’m sorry, I just…”she trailed off into silence, not sure what to say. But the redhead yet stayed well away on her own side of the bed.



“I had a nightmare,” Tara pleaded. “It wasn’t real, I wouldn’t bite you, I wouldn’t!”



“You had a nightmare?” Willow exclaimed. “I had the nightmare! Wait! You bit me – in your nightmare?”



Tara nodded, ashamed. “We made love and you said ‘Drink me’ – and then I bit you and – and you drank from me.”



Willow shuddered. “Oh, no! No, this is wrong! I had the same – same dream. This can’t be happening. Two brains,” Willow pointed to her head and Tara’s. “One dream, not good. Bad, very bad!”



“Willow? Do you – do you still trust me? I won’t hurt you. I swore not to hurt you.”



“Oh, baby,” Willow melted, throwing herself into Tara’s arms. They hugged in silence for a long moment. Willow opened her eyes and glanced at the clock. It was a quarter past four in the morning. Suddenly, they both heard the tap running in the bathroom.



“It’s Buffy,” Tara whispered.



“You don’t think…” Willow began.



“Hideous scary dreams on PBS?” Tara finished. “Buffy’s a Slayer. If she had it too, Willow, it could be important.”



“I’ll go,” Willow whispered. “Totally dreading the answer, but I’ll go.” The redhead swiftly threw on her robe and tiptoed out of the bedroom, down the corridor to the bathroom. Sure enough, she found Buffy there, seated on the closed toilet lid, holding a glass of water to her forehead. The Slayer appeared pale and upset, and she looked startled and embarrassed when Willow walked in and found her.



“Will, I’m sorry,” the Slayer said. “Did I wake you?” Willow noticed Buffy stealing a glance at the mirror, even though it was not in the right position for the Slayer to see either of them from where she sat. The hacker’s eyebrows lifted. She looked in the mirror herself.



“Buffy, it’s okay,” the redhead said. “I still have a reflection. Did you – have a…”



“Nightmare? Oh yeah,” Buffy trembled. “It was – horrible. And listen, I know I’ve been snippy gal to Tara lately, but this was different. I like Tara, I really do. I want to trust her. I’m getting used - you know? In this dream, she bit you, and you fed from her, but – but it was you, Willow, you asked her to do it. And you would never do that, I know that.”



Willow said nothing at first, but soberly she crouched and took Buffy’s hand. “Listen, Buffy, don’t freak out, but like, five minutes ago, I had a dream that Tara and I were in a bedroom with a hundred candles, there was a rug with a pentagram on the floor, and Tara bit me, and then I drank her blood.” The Slayer’s eyes widened, and Willow quickly added, “And don’t freak out even more, but – Tara had the same nightmare.”



Buffy lowered her head. “This is so not good,” she muttered. After a minute she straightened and said, “We’ll research it tomorrow. You, me and Tara. Okay?” Buffy looked at Willow with a diffident expression.



“Sure, Buffy. Was there anything else you want to talk about?” The Slayer shook her head. Willow hugged her goodnight and padded back to bed and Tara.



“Oh no, nothing else to talk about,” Buffy said to herself in the solitude of the bathroom. The part in the dream where Tara and Willow had drunk each other’s blood had been awful, perhaps the most appalling dream Buffy could remember. But the first few minutes, Tara and Willow’s gentle, consensual lovemaking, Buffy blushed deeply as she recalled it; was “the hottest thing I have ever, ever seen. Oh no, the fact that I’m a sick voyeuristic pervert, we’re not going to talk about that, no, not ever,” the Slayer concluded in a barely audible whisper. She finished her water, put the glass back on a shelf and returned to her bed.



(To be continued)

Edited by: Bagheera at: 8/28/02 4:48:44 am