This story is rather dark, has quite a bit of angst later on, but I promise, it will have a happy ending.
Your comments are appreciated!
Many thanks to my beta reader, Katharyn Rosser!
This Way Darkness Comes
Part III of the ‘Magic Series’
This story does contain references to the last half of Season Six and parts of Season Seven if you haven’t seen the episodes yet. Tara was never shot and Willow didn’t try to destroy the world. She did however abuse the dark magicks and Tara left. Willow gave up the magicks and several months later, Tara returned. They made up, worked on rebuilding what was left of their relationship and Willow took a recovery course to learn how to control her powers, becoming a very powerful witch in the process and a magnet for those who wanted that power. Unbeknownst to everyone, Tara’s own powers were strengthening and becoming stronger. Like Willow, her blossoming powers were attracting attention, unwanted attention.
This story is part 3 of the Magic Series Triolgy:
Part I; The House that Jane Built
Part II; Hallowed Nights
Part III; This Way Darkness Comes
DISCLAIMER: WILLOW AND TARA from BUFFY: THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and the scenes depicted here are REGISTERED TRADEMARKS of Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy, Inc., WB, UPN, Fox, and all that jazz. *NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED*
Rating: PG-13/R, for mature themes, sexual situations and violence.
Synopsis: The Master and the evil demon, Jessica, are back with a vengeance. Buffy, Tara and Willow’s lives are once again in peril. Jessica has also made a discovery that could eradicate humans from the face of the earth. Can the Scoobies figure out how to keep all this darkness from seeping into Sunnydale?
Chapter 1
The Picnic
Willow settled her small frame into the bench outside the academic building on the University campus and carefully set her purchase in her lap. She’d finished her last class over an hour ago. After she’d shrugged off her knapsack and looked to the entrance of the building, shielding her eyes from the glare of the sun. Tara’s last class for the day was almost over and Willow expected to see her lover to walk out of the building momentarily. She didn’t have long to wait. The glass doors swung open and a throng of students emerged chattering and clambering down the steps. Willow spotted Tara and a slow grin spread across her face at the sight.
Tara wore low cut jeans and they fit snug against her hips. A patch of skin showed between her waistband and the short top, exposing her navel. Her blond hair cascaded over her shoulders and bounced when she descended the short flight of steps.
This was her lover, her woman, and the sight of Tara always made her smile. Tara was her light, her warmth, like the sun that was shining down on her from the cloudless sky. And, she had to admit to herself, Tara was also the light that balanced her dark powers, the black magic she struggled to control with an iron fist. The darkness lay dormant in the furthest recesses of her soul when she basked in the gentle and amorous energy of the earth. Willow could feel the warmth radiating upwards from the soles of her feet as she watched Tara walk across the grassy median with a light spring to her step.
“Tara!” Willow waited until Tara came closer before calling out and waving to her.
Tara looked up as she heard a familiar voice call her name. Her face broke into a bright smile and her heart always swelled when she saw Willow waving at her. The gentle breeze lifted strands of the soft red hair and the sun had warmed her cheeks to a rosy glow. Tara waved back and hurried across the grass towards the bench Willow was sitting on, hugging her books to her chest. She stopped before the red head and raised an inquisitive brow when she saw a grocery bag in Willow’s lap.
“I was thinking maybe a picnic. You know, sandwiches, cold beverages and fruity goodness.” Willow said with a broad smile.
“I think I could like that,” Tara replied and tried to peer into the bag. “What’d you get?”
“Hmm, yummy stuff like egg salad sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies, applesauce and ice cold water.” Willow answered with a satisfied nod.
“Yum.” Tara glanced down at Willow with a slow smile.
Willow tugged the strap of her knapsack back up to her shoulder and stood, grocery bag in hand. They began walking towards the park and Tara shifted her books to her other arm, slipping her free hand into Willow’s.
“So, how was class?” Willow asked.
“Good. How did the physics test go?” Tara replied.
“Aced it.” Willow replied with a wide grin which slowly faded and she bit her lip. “I think.” There was always that room for doubt.
“I’m sure you did. You were up really late last night studying.” Tara turned to her lover and her gentle blue eyes met excited green ones. “You didn’t even come to bed did you?”
“Sorry.” Willow said apologetically and dipped her head. “Hence the picnic.” She turned soulful eyes upon the blonde.
“It’s okay.” Tara smiled understandingly and swept a lock of stray red hair behind Willow’s ear. “As long as you don’t make too much of a habit of it. So, how was your other class?” Her hand brushed against Willow’s cheek before they turned and walked towards the park.
“Revealing. I think I actually learned something.” Willow joked and followed her lover’s lead.
“Boring, huh?” Tara half turned, the smile still on her lips.
“Well, no, but for some reason I just couldn’t concentrate.” Willow looked over at Tara. “I’ve had something on my mind all morning.”
“Uh huh.” Tara met her gaze. “And what was that?” She knew the answer to her own question, but wanted to hear Willow say it.
“You.” Willow said, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
It was early spring and all around them the grass was green, the sycamore trees provided shade and afforded them some privacy from passersby. They stopped and sat down in the thick carpet of grass. While Tara put her books aside, Willow started to pull out their lunch and handed Tara a sandwich. They ate in near-silence, just enjoying one another’s presence and looking out over the lake watching the swans swim lazily. The lake was ringed with willow trees and on occasion the lone crane would turn and stare at them in stoic curiosity.
The silence between them was actually a special kind of communication. Like an oasis in the desert, the silence was like a balm giving peace and respite from a world where words could become meaningless sounds masking the emotions. These silences were uplifting; intimacy without touching.
Tara finished half of her sandwich, reached for the applesauce and opened the container. She glanced at Willow who had just finished her sandwich and was licking her fingers. An idea formed in her head and her mouth quirked.
“What?” Willow saw the mischievous smile and raised her brows.
Tara didn’t reply, instead she lifted a spoonful of applesauce to Willow’s mouth and watched the soft lips part. Willow took some of the fruity sauce from the spoon, chewed and then swallowed.
“Hmm, I like this.” Locking gazes, Willow leaned forward again and pulled the remaining sauce from the spoon, her moist lips wrapping around the untensil. Willow picked up the uneaten half of Tara’s sandwich and lifted it to the blonde’s lips. The full lips parted and closed over a corner of the sandwich. Tara bit down and chewed slowly, gazing at Willow through half lidded eyes. After she swallowed, Willow watched the pink tongue as it grazed over the soft lips, licking up lingering traces of filling. Sandwiches had never seemed so sensual.
“Me too.” Tara agreed, her breathing quickened and her heart started doing a little tap dance inside her chest as she held out another fruity spoonful to Willow. She was sitting across from her, watching the excitement build in the green eyes after each morsel was plucked from her spoon. She knew though, that soon, when Willow had had enough, she would take her in her arms, push her down to the grass and kiss her, their tongues dancing and teasing. Tara could lay there for hours kissing Willow, it was that wonderful.
As if on cue, Willow leaned in and kissed Tara, their lips brushing over each other lightly. Dropping the uneaten portion of Tara’s sandwich, Willow wrapped an arm around the blonde’s waist, pulling her in close and then down to the soft carpet of grass. Willow deepened the kiss, her tongue stroking soft lips before seeking entrance, teasing them apart.
Tara had to wonder if her lover was reading her mind, or if she was reading Willow’s.
Like electricity, an almost-magical energy sparked and flowed between them, bonding and connecting them as one. Their hearts beat faster as power surrounded them, fanning the smoldering embers of their passion.
Tara rubbed her hands over Willow’s back, pressing her tighter. She didn’t hear the sounds around them; the whisper of leaves in the soft breeze or the light splash of water as a swan dove. She was only conscious of Willow’s hands, lips and tongue. She couldn’t help thinking about the first time Willow had lain in her arms. Willow’s words echoed in her ears.
********
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” Willow had whispered huskily. Tara remembered lifting her head; her blue eyes swimming with unshed tears, and a look of wonder on her face. She hadn’t been able to believe that someone was talking to her this way. People had hardly even noticed her, but Willow had and had told her how beautiful she was. Softly her lips had brushed Willow’s cheek and she’d closed her eyes, leaning into the soft caress. She’d turned her face and looked into Willow’s eyes. She’d leaned in and kissed her and at that moment, with Willow’s heart beating against her chest, Tara had known that she wanted to belong to her. It had become the happiest moment of her life. Well, second happiest, next to making love for the first time to Willow that very night.
********
Tara smiled to herself at the memory. She felt the whisper of cool air brushing against her warm thighs as Willow’s hand pushed her skirt up and explored the soft terrain underneath.
********
Willow had been nervous that night, but after several minutes of passionate kissing, she’d relaxed and melted into the soft curves of Tara’s body, giving herself to the hunger. The unhurried exploration of Willow’s hands… which had searched, probed and caressed her soft flesh. Tara had seen two Willow’s that night. She’d seen the young girl in the pictures from Willow’s high school yearbook; insecure, self-conscious and starving for love and attention, and the woman that Willow had become; passionate, powerful and loving.
********
The memory faded and reluctantly Tara pulled back, breaking the kiss and taking in some much needed air. She gasped when fingers filled her and urged her to dance to a familiar rhythm. Breathing hard and clutching Willow’s shoulders, she looked into the green eyes above that were darkening with desire. Slowly, voices intruded upon their thoughts and the two women became aware of their surroundings, realizing that they were in a very public place, even if they were somewhat hidden by the tree. Willow’s eyes traveled down to Tara’s cleavage and she bit her lower lip. She wanted to feel the lushness of Tara’s breasts against her face and taste the saltiness of her smooth skin. They were both thinking and wanting the same thing, being naked together and making love to one another. Preferably somewhere private, but where? Tara still had her dorm room, which was close by, and then there was Willow’s room, which Tara shared with her, at Buffy’s house.
“Maybe we should…” The blonde whispered huskily and Willow read her mind.
“Your room?” Willow’s voice was thick and there was a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“Yes. It’s closer.” Tara replied with a seductive smile before pulling Willow’s face down and kissing her again.
Being close was important.
To be continued in Chapter 2; 'The Coitus Interruptus'
"After one take, Joss did say, 'Can we have one that's less like you're going to sleep together in about five minutes?'" - Alyson Hannigan
Edited by: allyson12 at: 12/23/02 7:18:59 am
Well, I just got to work and checked the board to see what was new. To my surprise you've posted a new story! Yay, you've made my day! I haven't finished reading Hallowed Nights yet, but will today, I'll be back to read the sequel!
Great start, yet again!!
I'm still on board for this fic coz... I LOVE IT!!! I definitely can't wait to see where this 3 addition takes us... hopefully lotsa lotsa leather is along the way of finding that out! 
But wonderful start, the picnic was very very goooood! 