Zooeys_Bridge - Hey, thank you I'm sorry it has taken me awhile to get back to this story, but life sometimes gets in the way. I am so pleased that you like the relationship between Conan and Willow; they are very alike in many ways. The back story is coming soon, so I hope you enjoy it. When I get round to typing it up.
Zampsa1975 - Hello, thank you again for the feedback. Conan will open up eventually he is a very guarded person and has been alone with Tara so long that he is super protective of her. All will be well in the end.
Thanks again,
Reece
I was inspired this evening so I have managed to write another part enjoy...
Part 11
Willow looked up and down the street. She had been waiting with Buffy for Giles to pick them up for over ten minutes. Why the watcher was taking so long she didn’t know.
“Relax Will, why don’t you sit down? Giles will be here as soon as he can.”
Looking back at her friend who was casually seated on the bench Willow huffed. “Well he should be faster.”
“I understand you want to get to the hospital Will, but Giles will be going as fast as he can.”
“Yeah I know.” Moving back Willow sat next to Buffy on the bench.
“So what did you think of Conan?”
Willow fixed her attention on Buffy and watched as the slayer came to the surface and frowned at the mention of the young mans name. “He’s hiding something.”
“Something bad?” Ok that she had known it didn’t take a rocket scientist to tell he was uncomfortable telling them the little that he had told them.
With a shake of her head Willow watched as Buffy tried to push the worry away from her eyes. “I don’t know Will. I didn’t get any dangerous vibes off him, just some I’m hiding something vibes. That in its self can be dangerous, we all know that hiding stuff leads to disaster.”
“Yeah I got the impression he wasn’t telling us the whole story.”
“Yeah but you can’t blame him he doesn’t know us.”
“Still we can help him and Tara right?”
Buffy flashed a smile and nodded at her statement. “We will, we just have to show him that, and find out what’s going on.”
“Yeah.”
“Oh Giles mentioned Anya had found something out about that little lump of rock I found.”
Surprise and annoyance washed over Willow. Why hadn’t Buffy told her anything sooner? “Really? And you’re just telling me this now. Its good news isn’t it?”
Buffy held her hands up in defence and told Willow to relax. “Well Giles didn’t sound too pleased about it, so I’m thinking it’s bad.”
“Big bad, bad? Or just plain ole Sunnydale bad?”
“Who knows? Guess we will find out when Giles fills us in.”
“Yeah.”
After a few minutes more of waiting Giles’s car pulled up and Willow and Buffy jumped to there feet and greeted the watcher.
Willow climbed into the car and was followed by Buffy. “Hey Giles.”
“Willow, Buffy.”
“Buffy mentioned that Anya found out something about the small column Buffy found in the Graveyard.”
A shadow passed over Giles's eyes and he put the car into gear and slowly released the clutch and pressed down on the gas. The car lurched forward and Giles looked to towards Buffy and then back at Willow. “Yes I have to say it is a cause for concern.”
“Giles I’m not liking your tone, when you use that 'this is serious Buffy' tone it makes me feel like I’m gonna breakout in hives.”
“Well I shall save the information until later.”
“Why?”
“I think this is something we should discuss with the whole group.”
The watchers tone was serious as Buffy had said and Willow sat back in the car seat and looked out of the window. What ever that thing was Giles was rattled.
****
Throwing the two heavy bags he held down on the floor next to the plastic chair Conan wiped his hands on his clean pants. He had just changed his clothes and washed his face and hands in the hospital restroom. No one batted an eye lid when he pulled out and tooth brush and began to brush his teeth. It was good to feel relatively clean. Slumping in the chair Conan through his head back and sighed.
Conan looked up at the clock in the waiting room. 10:45 was displayed proudly as if mocking him. He had been awake for two hours, seventeen minutes and forty three seconds. Rolling his neck the gangly man tried to get rid of the stiffness that had settled there. Sleeping on the hard plastic waiting room chairs hadn’t been one of his greatest decisions, but he just couldn’t bring himself to leave the hospital.
He had stepped outside at around two. He had to find Grey, the wolf had disappeared when he had led him to the hospital and hadn’t been seen since. As he made his way back to where he had last seen the black beast. As he rounded the corner he saw the wolf bathed in moonlight his head tilted back wards as he started at the building.
His scent must have reached the wolf because he sniffed the air and then cocked his head towards him. With an even look the wolf climbed up from its seated position and began to slowly make his way towards him.
Dropping in to a crouch Conan held out his hand towards Grey. The wolf licked his palm once and then rubbed the side of his black face along Conan’s hand. Conan felt the soft expels of air against his wrist. The wolf hadn't liked him at first. It took months for the wolf to spend anytime alone with him. Conan smiled as he ran a hand down Grey's silky coat. It wasn’t what he thought a wolf coat would be like. While he had a scruffy wild look his coat was as soft as silk.
A vision of Tara brushing the Wolf every morning when she awoke came to his mind. She took better care of the wolf than she did of herself sometimes.
She adored the big beast and he adored her in return. Conan knew that his friend and her wolf had a connection, she knew where the wolf was and what he was doing at all times and Grey in return knew where she was.
He had told the wolf that Tara was fine and that he would see her soon and when she was ok they would get the hell out of this place. He didn’t particular like it here. While it was almost paradise compared to his world, somewhere without demons would have been a much more pleasant stopping place.
Conan ran his hand over the wolf’s fur one last time before he told the wolf to go hide back at the motel, last thing they needed was for the wolf to be seen. A person in hysterics shouting about a wolf roaming the city’s streets was not the attention they wanted to draw to themselves.
The wolf cocked his head at him in understanding and the got to his feet. He told him to stay out of site and hide in the ally at the back of the motel; as soon as he had seen Tara he would come back there and let him into the room.
“Hey” The cheery voice snapped Conan out of his thoughts. Looking up his light brown eyes met those of Willow’s green. Smiling slightly he stood and waved a touch at the girl in front of him
“Hey Willow.” Looking at the other two people who had accompanied Willow to the hospital Conan nodded his head and acknowledged them. “It’s nice to see you again, you to Buffy and you Mr Giles.” The both nodded back at him and Buffy took up her familiar crossed arm stance.
“Well we said we would be back and here we are.”
Looking back at Willow Conan smiled at her. “Yes you did.”
“Won’t they let you in yet?”
“No it’s not eleven yet the old battleaxe on duty won’t let anyone through.”
He watched as the redhead nodded and look longingly at the doors that lead to his best friend. Looking at the girl Conan pondered the enigma that was Willow, why was she so concerned about Tara? They had only met once. Tara he knew however inspired goodness in people, she had found emotions and inspired feelings inside his heart that he had thought were long dead.
“Are you excited?” The redhead smiled gently towards him and his lips quirked in response.
“Yes and no. I’m more concerned to tell the truth.” ‘And scared’ he didn’t add that part. He was scared of what condition his friend would be in.
“That’s understandable. Have you been friends long?”
“Two years. How long have you and Buffy been friends?”
“That’s nice I have known Buffy for five years.”
“That’s a long-time.”
“Yeah you wouldn’t believe some of the stuff we have been through.”
“Willow.” The blonde girl called Buffy rolled her eyes at Willow as she shrugged and smiled sheepishly.
“I feel I must thank you again for saving Tara.”
“And I told you anybody would have done the same thing. Plus I’m right about this, so stop thanking us. See this?” the redhead pointed to her face and Conan nodded blankly “Well this is my resolve face, its useless to argue with me when I wear this right Buff?”
“Right Will.”
Smiling at the two women they obviously cared for each other and their strong friendship made his heart ache. If Tara had died who would he have in this world?
Nobody.
He was a stranger in a strange world. Oh he was sure he would have survived, but he would have been hollow, like a part of him had curled up and died. He would be back to the empty, dirty man she had found two years ago when she had come to his world.
“She will be fine you know.”
“Yeah I hope so.”
“The Doctor said she had some…other injuries.” Conan frowned at her gently concerned voice; there was no judgement or accusation in her tone. No demand or anger, she was simply concerned and wanted to know about his friend.
“She was attacked a few nights ago.”
“She certainly attracts trouble your friend.” Buffy’s statement was delivered with a guarded look. He knew while the redhead trusted him her friend didn’t. He didn’t blame her she didn’t know him, and he could be a mass murderer for all she knew.
“Yeah I guess she does. I wasn’t there that time but some sort of demon attacked her, I patched her up the best I couldn’t but she was still pretty banged up. She was out for awhile as soon as she woke we came here.”
“What are you running from?”
The question form the blonde startled him, he hadn’t even realised he had relaxed, his back stiffened and he ran a hand over his hair, and straightened his spectacles. “Nothing.”
“Look Conan I know running. I have done running. What ever it is we can help. Or at least try to.”
“I…” looking up Conan saw the clock at stealthily moved into the ten past eleven position. “…have to go see my friend.”
Grabbing his own and Tara’s bags Conan jumped to his feet and manoeuvred his gangly awkward frame towards the doors leading to ICU.
****
“Will?” Calling out softly Buffy halted Willow's movement.
Buffy saw Willow stop and briefly frown at her. “What?”
“Maybe we should you know give him a minute.”
“Yeah I guess your right.”
“Running Buffy?” Swinging her head back round Buffy regarded her Watcher. She looked down at the tiled floor and then back up at Giles.
“Yeah Giles their running from someone or something. They know about magic and demons so I’m thinking what ever it is it is going to be supernatural.”
Buffy saw her watcher smile softly. “Its good to see my constant badgering has finally inspired some of your observational skills to be used beyond the fashion sense of the undead.”
Shrugging Buffy uncrossed her arms. “Well I girls got to use what she got Giles.”
“Umm quite… he seems…”
“I think he’s nice.”
Rolling her eyes skyward at her best friends comment Buffy told her what she thought. “Will you like everyone!”
“That’s not true I didn’t like Cordelia.”
“Cordy doesn’t count Will.”
“Why not? Well how about that skank… Veruca.” Well Buffy had to agree with her there, Willow really did hate Veruca. Oz had chosen the other werewolf over Willow, and in the process broken her best friend’s heart.
“You seem to have proven me wrong Will.” Smiling softy at Buffy Willow turned her attention back to the double doors.
“How long do you recon we should give him.”
“Say fifteen minutes.”
****
As Conan entered the room he had practically had to give his soul to enter he took in his friend. The woman. The nurse that was on duty had questioned him with the skill and tact of a military general before she would let him enter.
Tara looked so small.
Conan surged forward and dropped to his knees beside the still form of his friend.
‘This was all entirely his fault’ was the thought that ran through the young mans mind. Conan grasped Tara’s hand and rested his forehead against the joined hands.
Tears flowed freely from his eyes as he prayed to anyone who would listen for his friend’s health.
“Please forgive me Tara, please forgive me.”
****
In the darkness she felt warm, safe, like she was home.
She knew she couldn’t stay here.
Something was telling her to awaken.
Looking to the left she felt a hand squeeze her own.
Donald.
Donny.
Her brother.
Her protector.
Her friend.
His blonde hair shone in the sunlight like a halo, his mouth twisted in to a beaming smile as he pulled her forward. His eyes twinkled as he smiled at her with pure joy as he tugged on their joined hands.
He began to run. His longer legs making it difficult for her to keep up.
He was shouting for Mommy.
Looking forward she saw her.
Dressed in blue.
So beautiful.
Her flaxen hair falling in waves over her shoulders as her head tilted to the side as they ran to her.
Her arms where outstretched as she held them open for her babies.
Suddenly the light shifted and the hand that held her own stopped sharply and started to pull her away.
Her mother changed. No longer dressed in blue she was older.
The stone was cold beneath her feet.
Bodies moved past her as she was pulled away from the woman who had given her life.
She could still see her mother through the throngs of bodies that massed and pulsated in front of her they formed a wall, as if to protect her.
Her mothers hair now held strands of grey and her eyes were full of fear, but not for herself but for her.
Her mother’s mouth moved but the words didn’t reach her ears.
The hand was insistent and pulled her from her mother, she didn’t want to go.
No.
She wanted to scream for the hand to stop pulling.
Looking left she looked in to blue eyes so much like her own.
Donald again.
Always protecting her.
His hair was darker and his once smooth and boyish face was hidden by a full blonde beard and moustache.
He looked so much older.
His strong hand grasped her own as he used all his strength to pull her away.
No didn’t he understand?
They had do go back.
They had to save mother.
Looking back she saw the shadow descend over her mother.
No. No. No.
She had to help her Mother.
She had to stop the shadow.
She had to stop him.