Notes - Ok, the idea for this actually came because I really did not want to write Ch 9b of 'For All Your Good Intentions'. Action stuff is just so difficult to get across. Anyway, so I wrote this first chapter and I sent it off to Owl and she said go with it so I am. It is a sequel of sorts as it takes place in the same universe as my previous story. It is also slightly darker but the angst comes from without more than from within, (mostly).
Notes II - The bad news is that I am going away for two and a half weeks (10th April to 28th April). I have been forbidden to take my laptop and handphone as I am a certified workaholic and therefore check my work e-mails incessantly and work at all hours of the day on account of the insomnia. I will be in London staying with my sister and she does have a computer so I may be able to update or check the thread for the first week and then we're driving around Scotland (whiskey tours and golf) for the rest of the time. Why am I posting it? Well, I really don't think I would finish if I did not have some sort of pressure from somewhere so that's why it going to be posted. I actually like working under pressure, go figure. I have made a deal with Owl that I will leave her 3 chapters while I'm away and she will post them every five days or so. So that should take care of the two and a half weeks of my absence. Since I am bringing my palm which is a technically a PDA and not a computer (yes, I'm splitting hairs) I will try and map out the story so that I can write faster when I come back. The only reason I write fast now is because of the insomnia. I hope not to have it when I return.
Spoiler Warning - It has some spoilers up to Normal Again and you may want to read my previous story (For All Your Good Intentions) as it is set in the same universe. If you don't want to, it's ok too. Just realize that Willow is in a wheelchair and this would be set around two and a half years from start of current US season.
Feedback - Good God! Yes, please.
Disclaimer - All characters, names etc belong to ME. I am just borrowing them for this short while in order to make them do what I want for a change instead of waiting to see what happens every Tuesday.
Rating - Strong PG .
Title : Left Of Center
Chapter 1
?I don?t believe we haven?t seen hide nor hair of a vampire for the past week. I mean currently, I would accept bald ones, fat ones, Dracula, anything! A slayer who doesn?t slay is like a?.like a, Good Lord, I?m a watcher. See, I?m saying Good Lord! I need to kill vampires now!?
?Come on Buff, this could be a good thing ? Xander replied trying to calm his friend down. ?I mean after eight apoclaypses..si? After so many Big Bads, we should catch a break.?
Wanting to support her husband, Anya chimed in, ?Yes, maybe this is like Spring Break for Vampires. You know, when they go someplace else to not get a tan? she finished proudly.
?Or? or, maybe we?re just scaring them off? Willow joined in ?I mean, I do look all mean in my new Quickie GPV wheelchair and all?. The new wheelchair was a present from Ira and Sheila Rosenberg. After the accident, they had realized how close they had come to losing their only daughter. Since then, they had bought her gifts, paid for her treatments and most importantly welcomed Tara into their lives. They would come to all her physiotherapy sessions and when it was time to discuss trying the stem cell therapy on the advice of her doctor, her mother had turned and asked Tara what she thought. Of course, her mom called her Tracy but still, they had accepted the woman their daughter had fallen so in love with and that made her heart soar. When she went for the stem cell replacement operation, her parents had insisted Tara be given family rights and therefore could visit her beyond visiting hours. She couldn?t believe the changes in her parents but she was glad that they had also recognize the beauty of Tara?s soul and had acted accordingly.
?Will, you?re wearing a Powerpuff t-shirt, that really isn?t going to strike fear in the vampire population? Buffy retorted, pulling Willow out of her thoughts.
?But it?s a Buttercup t-shirt and she?s the meanie? Dawn added helpfully as she tried to keep in step with her sister.
?Yeah!? Willow pouted and reached for Tara?s hand that she had placed on the wheelchair handle.
Tara smiled to herself - she couldn?t help it, a willow pout would always cause her to smile and try and remove it from the hacker?s face. ?Oh, Sweetie, you do look all cool monster fighter like and the t-shirt is black?.
?Yeah? Willow repeated again, daring Buffy to contradict her.
Buffy realizing that she was outnumbered, had the decency to look contrite ?Ok, Will, you win, you?re scaring the vampire population with your black wheelchair and monster fighting get up. So could you tone it down a bit. This slayer needs her practice.?
?Ok, I?ll wear the hello Kitty T-shirt tomorrow? Willow returned, smiling. Despite the fact that they were out patrolling, Willow felt happy. Her family was here and her soul mate was by her side. She was pushing herself at her physiotherapy sessions despite the pain and was making such good progress that by Christmas, she should be able to stand and walk with the help of crutches. Then, she would only need the wheelchair for patrols should she need to make a quick getaway.
She tugged Tara?s hand and pulled the witch down into a kiss. She wanted to do more but that would come later. Currently, she made do with a kiss, one that conveyed all her love ? her passion for the beautiful blonde.
?Wow, that was wow? Tara replied breathlessly as she stood up ?That was some kiss. You going to back that up later?? she added giving Willow one of her special smiles.
?Anytime, anywhere, anything you wish? Willow whispered and squeezed her hand.
He watched them ? laughing and walking like they owned the night. Each carrying some sort of weapon - well except for the two witches. They were so smug, he thought. Didn?t need any weapons, thought they were so strong - invincible together. He wanted to show them, he wanted to move away from his hiding place and attack with all his superior strength. The night belonged to him and his kind. They were the interlopers - the intruders. They would suffer at his hands - he would make that his mission.
He could pick them off one by one if he wanted to.
The man and his blonde companion, walking arm in arm ? he could smell their apprehension, hear their heartbeats beating faster than normal, high on adrenaline and fear. Pretending not to care about the dangers surrounding them ? demons and monsters.
The young girl, trying to walk in big sister?s shoes - but also so scared, her blood rushing through her veins, pulsing from her heart - such a sweet sound. So easy to pick off. The youngest were always the best targets.
The witches, despite the wheelchair, they moved in unison - holding hands. Lost in a world of their own, their hearts beating in rhythm, slightly faster but not out of fear. His blood boiled, he could smell their arousal - their love. It sickened him ? he must be calm, now was not the time but soon. Soon.
The last heartbeat was slower, more paced - it belonged to the slayer. He would not, could not underestimate her. She would have to be taken out first if he was to succeed. But he was not going to kill her. No, he had been patient, watching , waiting. Time had no meaning for him, he had eternity and he had used it well, he knew all their weaknesses. He was going to have his revenge - and their blood would be sweet.
He remembered back two years ago, how he had come to town to take back his family pride and teach her a lesson. How dare she flaunt her lifestyle and choices in their faces. She had to be punished - had to be taught a lesson. It was his duty, he was the first born. So he came to Sunnydale, one autumn day. Drove into town in his beat up truck and watched and waited. How was he to know that the night belonged to such creatures.
All he remembered were the yellow eyes and the pain ? the pain as fangs tore through his throat. He had struggled with all his might and had managed to bite down on his attacker but it was too late, he had felt the blood flow from his throat, his pulse slowing down. He had woken up two days later in the Sunnydale dump. No one had found him, no one knew where to look. He was re-born, power coursed through him. He was vengefulness personified.
Donald Robert Maclay touched his face, feeling the ridges and bumps and fangs. Smiling to himself, he realized that his visage now truly reflected his heart and for that he was pleased.
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You must think that something is happening with you, that life has not forgotten you, that it holds you in its hand; It will not let you fall
Edited by: jomarch at: 4/4/02 4:32:41 pm