The Kitten, the Witches and the Bad Wardrobe - Willow & Tara Forever

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated 26/12/07)
PostPosted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 5:50 pm 
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2. Floating Rose
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LittleBit - Thank you very much i am pleased that you enjoyed the update. thanks for the feedback.


Zampsa1975 - Well that’s the plan at some point ;-) thanks, and I’m glad you enjoyed it.


BigBlueEyes - Hey thanks, I’m pleased that you liked it, I am writing more now so should have a new update in the next few days.

Thank you all for reading.

Reece :peace


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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated 26/12/07)
PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 1:47 pm 
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2. Floating Rose
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Hello all,

Sorry about the long gap between posts.
Hope you all enjoy.

Reece



Part 8




The entrance to the grave yard was nearing and Buffy could feel the girl, who Willow had called Tara’s blood running down her arm

“Willow!!”

“Hurry Buffy.” Willow turned to look at Buffy, her eyes pleading with the slayer to increase her pace.

“Willow her breathing is slowing.”

Panic shot through her redheaded friend’s eyes and Buffy wished for a second that she hadn’t said anything. “What?! No that not…”

“Willow I am telling you she doesn’t look to good. I don’t think Giles can do…I don’t think she…”

Willow nodded her head trying to make a decision. “Ok ok, we go to the ER.”

Buffy’s shoulders sagged there was no way she could make it to the ER it was 15 minutes across town. Her running was making the girl worse as it was. The constant jarring steps she was taking caused the spikes to shift and the slayer was covered in blood as a result. She would survive the run across town. “Willow its half way across town she will never make it.”

“Then Giles is our only option.”

“Willow…”

“Buffy shut up and just run.” Buffy’s eyes widened at the steel that had crept into Willow’s voice. She took her advice and increased her pace hoping the girl in her arms could hols out that long.



****


A loud bang and Buffy and Willows shouts for help drew the attention of the small group sitting talking and researching around one of the tables in the Magic box.

Shaking his head slightly at all noise Buffy was making Giles descended from the second floor a book clasped in hand.

“Good grief Buffy what’s…?” The words died on his lips as he took in the sight before him. Buffy was breathing heavily and carrying the still form of a young woman, Willow trailing behind her.

“Giles a little help here.” Indicated with his head for Buffy to head into the back of the shop.

“Yes, sorry. Into the back room.” Moving forward quickly Giles reached out to Buffy and helped her carry her load in to the training room. Buffy quickly laid the girl gently down on some training mats that were stacked against the wall in the room.

“Buffy what happened?”

“Well I attacked these giant porcupine demon things and willow found this girl” Running a hand across her face Buffy registered shock as she remembered something. “You know I would swear it where that little lump of rock was but I didn’t see it.”

“Giles its Tara?”

“Tara?” The frown that briefly graced Giles’s forehead, irritated Willow, how could he forget her she wasn’t the type of girl you just forget. Well at least not to her.

“Yeah the girl from, this morning the one I tripped up and the one who you thought was here for the job interview only she wasn’t and…”

Giles held a hand halting Willow’s babble before it became fully blown. “Yes Willow I recall.”

“What…”

“Giles she doesn’t look to good, do something.” Tara’s breathing was becoming more laboured, and sweat was beading her forehead.

“Yes quite Buffy get some towels, Willow I need you to call for an ambulance.”

Giles looked down at the three huge spikes that were imbedded within the girl’s chest. Two were imbedded within her shoulder, and the third was dangerously close to the girl’s throat. She needed expert medical attention, and Giles knew he was not qualified to give it to her.

“An ambulance Giles?”

“Yes Willow hurry.”

Giles watched Willow as she sprinted away towards the front of the shop to call for assistance. Giles knew there was no use in him removing the spikes imbedded within the girl’s chest. He would only cause even more damage.

She returned a few seconds later and said they were on there way. Giles nodded and continued to watch as Willow took the girls hand into her own. A small frown jumped onto his face. Before he could think on it to much Buffy returned with the towels and dumped them in a pile at his feet.

“Here are the towels Giles need me to do anything else?” Giles knew his young charge did not like to feel useless, “Yes Buffy go upfront and tell Anya to wait out front for the ambulance and escort the paramedics inside when they arrive.”

“Sure thing.”

“Willow what happened? Buffy mentioned something about the small pedestal she found?”

“I don’t know about that Giles we were cutting through the graveyard Buffy was walking me back to the dorm room and that’s when she saw those demon things. She attacked them and I saw Tara just lying on the floor.”

“Do you remember what the demons look like Willow? It could be important, the spikes could contain venom, or...”

“Venom?” Willow’s eyes had widened at his words and Giles could see Willow was very concerned for the girl whose hand she held.

“Yes, it is a possibility. I am just being cautious. I would like to know what Buffy dealt with.”

Buffy interrupted “They didn’t go poof Giles, I could go back and get one.”

Raising his eyebrows Giles rubbed his hand over the back of his neck. He finally relented and nodded towards Buffy. “Well that would be helpful.”

“I’ll go now. Will I’ll be back soon. Don’t worry Will I’m sure she will be fine.” Giles watch Willow nod to Buffy before the slayer flew from the room to bring one of the demons back.



****


Conan leaned heavily against a tree with his head in his hands. Tears ran from his eyes and his breath hitched as he tried to calm himself down.

He had let his friend down. She had told him to go, but he should have stayed. Or he should have taken her with him.

She was dead.

He was a failure. What was new there? He had always been a failure. His mother had never failed him to remind of that fact. The difference was now it had cost him someone he loved. He had let his only friend down when she needed him most.

A sharp nip on his arm cause the young man to pull his head up from its cradle.

“Hey what was that for?” A low growl came from the mouth of the black wolf. It was clear the wolf was telling him to pull himself together.

“Don’t know why I even asked not like your going to answer.”

Looking around Conan didn’t know were he was. He had just run, and run and run. His lungs had burnt and his body ached. The fire in his chest caused him to stop eventually.

It was dark and he was lost.

He was on tree lined street. Large wooden houses lined each side of the street; driveways ran up from a black tarmac road that ran the length. Cars were parked on the verge and some in the driveways. It was a pleasant street.

The wolf at his side was panting heavily it nipped him again and then turned around and started to walk away from him.

The beast was right they couldn’t stay here.

Picking up the bag he had dropped when he had stopped, Conan followed the wolf as it slinked away. Its skinny limbs moving in harmony, and its shoulder blades lifting with its movement.

He watched as Grey's head rose from his customary downwards position and the wolf scented the air. It caught onto something and its whole body turned ridged.

Conan could only watch with damp eyes filled with sorrow as the wolf took off in the opposite directing at high speed. Forcing his heavy legs to move Conan ran after the wolf.

Calling out the black beasts name as he ran.


****

Willow watched helplessly as six of hospital staff ran with the gurney Tara was strapped to. Two doctors hovered over her as they quizzed one of the Paramedics who brought her in. One nurse ran with the IV and two others kept the metal bed rolling.

The doors that lead to another part of the hospital were opened and Tara, the gurney and the medical entourage disappeared. Willow ran forward as if to follow and was stopped by one of the Doctors.

She frowned as she realised that she handed even seen the man stop.

“Miss if you could wait here” He held up a hand stopping her from going any father.

“But…I need to…”

“I know… but your friend and I need you to stay here, and stay calm for the moment.”

Willow didn’t know what he was talking about, she was breathing a little erratic but she was perfectly calm. She was defiantly as calm as calm can be. Miss calm that was her.

The doctor broke her internal babble as he clasped her shoulders and manoeuvred her into a seat.

“There will be a nurse through in a few minutes with some forms, I will need you to fill out. Do you think you can do that?”

“Yes...ok…I can do that.”

“Great, they won’t be to difficult miss.” He smiled at her sympathetically and Willow found herself returning it slightly.

“When can I see her?”

His smile disappeared at this, but the sympathetic look remained. He tilted his head as he thought, he looked and sounded hesitant. “I'm not to sure. Your friend is in a serious condition, I’ll know more after she gets out of surgery. I’ll get back to you when I can. Is there someone you would like me to call for you? A family member? or a friend perhaps?”

“No my friends were following.”

“Ok miss; I have to go now I’ll be back as soon as I have any information for you.”

Willow watched as the young doctor walked away from her and entered the doors that lead to Tara.

Tara was in a serious condition. Even she could see that. She had been barely breathing and she had been so pale in the ambulance. Her skin had been cold and damp to the touch. An oxygen mask had been placed upon her face and the paramedics couldn’t move fast enough to get an IV in Tara’s arm.

One of the paramedics had asked how the injuries had happened. Her mind refused to comply and think up an appropriate lie. Willow knew she had never been more thankful when Anya jumped in. According to the ex-demon Tara was unpacking a new shipment of artefacts for the shop and she tripped and fell upon the spikes.

The explanation Anya had come up with cringe worthy, but it was Sunnydale and the paramedics had accepted it with ease.

A rather plump and cold looking old woman came through the same doors the doctor had just disappeared into she looked around the waiting room before her gaze fell upon willow and she smiled.

She walked over clip board in hand she looked down at the information and smiled once more. It wasn’t a particularly pleasant smile, more of an I would rather be at home watching TV than be here standing in front of you.

“Are you Miss Rosenbug?”

“It’s actually Rosenberg.” Willow received a ‘do I look like I care that I got your name wrong miss’ look and the greying nurse handed her the clipboard

“Fill in the forms, as best you can. I’ll be back in twenty minutes to collect them.” Mutely accepting the clip board willow nodded.

“What if I don’t know the information required?”

“Then leave it blank. We will deal with it later.” With that the sharp old women spun on her heal and walked away.

Willow looked hopelessly down at the forms. How was she supposed to fill them in? She knew nothing about Tara apart from her name.


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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated 18/01/08)
PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:17 pm 
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19. Yummy Face
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Really good update-y goodness... Good that Willow really cares about Tara... but she really needs more info... I really hope that those spikes are not poisonous...

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated 18/01/08)
PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:21 pm 
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ooh I do hope Tara gets better soon ... and what was Grey running after???

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated 18/01/08)
PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:28 pm 
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yay! I'm so glad this is updates, welcome back reece!

poor Tara! I hope everything will be alright. Go tough Willow!

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated 18/01/08)
PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:09 am 
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12. Recently Gay
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Hey Reece, sorry I didn't post any feedback fot the last 2 updates. Shame on me, lol.

Poor Tara getting impaled! I hope she gets through this, but I can't help but see the upside to this. Willow and Tara getting closer throughout Tara's recovery!!

This fic is getting better and better!!!!!!!!!

Please update soon and put me out of my misery, lol.

XX Rachel XX

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated 18/01/08)
PostPosted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:39 pm 
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2. Floating Rose
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Hello.

I would first want to apologise for not replying to all your feedback sooner. I have been having computer problems, but hopefully that is all sorted now.

Zampsa1975 - thank you for the feedback I am so pleased that you liked this part.

LittleBit - thank you for the feedback you shall find out what Grey was after in the next part I promise.

Zooeys_Bridge - thanks for your feedback, I am really pleased that you liked part 8; sorry it has taken me so long to get back and to you.

Yours - hey there, thank you for the kind words. I shall update very soon as an apology for my lateness.


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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated 18/01/08)
PostPosted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:40 pm 
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2. Floating Rose
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On with the next part...

Part 9



Willow gazed around the waiting room at her friends. They had arrived about five minutes after the grumpy old lady with the clipboard, had left her at a loss as what to fill in on the forms she handed her.

Buffy was slouched in a chair next to her, with her muddy boots propped on the end of a battered coffee table that had seen better day. The slayer was leafing through a two year old Vogue magazine, while Xander was keeping Anya quite, and Giles had disappeared to get a drink half an hour ago.

“Will?”

Looking to her left Willow turned her attention to Buffy who had abandoned the magazine, and had focused her gaze upon her. “Yeah Buff?”

A frown briefly marred Buffy’s forehead as she folded her arms across her chest with a puzzled look. “Why are you so worried about this girl Will? You only met her once right?”

The redheaded girl shook her head and looked down at the hands folded in her lap. She knew Buffy’s question was a good one ‘why was she so worried about this girl?’ “I don’t know Buffy; I just …felt a connection.”

It was the only way that Willow could find to describe way she felt with Tara, a connection. It had been there the moment she had gazed into the blondes blue eyes.

Willow watched as Buffy nodded. “Its ok Will, I’m sure she will be fine.”

Buffy’s hand reached over and found Willow's and after a gentle squeeze, the Slayer reached forward and grabbed another magazine of the pile in the waiting room.

“I hope so.”

Looking up Willow saw the younger of the two doctors who had taken Tara through to surgery, the one she had spoken to. He looked down at his clip board and then gazed at each of the Scoobies individually “Miss Rosenberg?”

Standing up willow nodded “yes in Willow Rosenberg. Dr…?”

He was very young for a doctor Willow guessed he must be straight out of medical school. He was the same height as her and of a slim build. He held out his hand for willow to shake and gave her a bright smile. “It’s Dr Stone Miss Rosenberg.”

Willow ran her sweating palms against her skirt, sucked in a huge breath of air and took the hand the doctor held out and gently shook the appendage. “How is Tara?”

The doctors grey eyes met hers and Willow could see that they were trying to convey reassurance and project the outwards appearance of calm. “Your friend is doing much better. Would you like to go somewhere more private…?”

Looking back at Buffy, Xander, and Anya who now had their attention solely focused on the conversation taking place. Willow shook her head and motioned for the doctor to continue. “No Dr Stone these are my friends it’s ok to talk in front of them.”

Nodding the young doctor glanced down at his notes and then back at Willow. “Ok well as I said, your friend is stable at the moment Miss Rosenberg. We were able to remove all of the spikes.”

A sensation of relief flooded Willow's heart as the doctor smiled after his words. “Oh that’s good.”

“Yes it is good. It took a while but we were also able to remove the embedded fragments that had been left behind in the wounds. After the removal of the spikes and fragments we attempted to repair the muscle and tissue damage.”

“Attempted?”

“Well due the depth of the wound and the size we did our best, I am afraid that Ms McClay will require some physiotherapy and it is possible reconstructive surgery at a latter date.”

“Oh…” reconstructive surgery? Willow knew that was not a good sign, just how much damage had been done?

“There was also some internal bleeding, not to mention the huge amount of blood your friend had already lost.”

Willow watched as an uncomfortable exasperation spread over the young face before her. The he ran a hand through his cropped brown hair. “Your friend also seemed to be suffering for previous injuries. Her body has a plethora of previous scars some old, some new.”

Willow felt puzzlement at the doctor’s words. “Previous injuries?”

He nodded and looked down at the board her held, which held all the information pertaining to Tara. “Yes her ribs where severely bruised and we did x-rays of her chest to check for any abnormalities and she had a myriad of old broken bones.”

“Right.”

“Do any of you know how she got these injuries…” the doctor looked around at the others in the room after a few shakes of head and blank looks he turned his attention back towards Willow. “ Miss Rosenberg?”

“No I… we haven’t known her that long. She never mentioned anything.”

The Doctor nodded and his pen screeched across the paper the clipboard held within him arms. “Well I wouldn’t speculate on the cause of the injuries, but I will be speaking to your friend about these when she is fit enough.”

“Ok…”

“She has been moved to intensive care for the moment we are hoping when she is stable to move her.”

“Can I see her?”

“Well it would be against the rules, but I could take you through for a minute or two.” The doctor smiled and then winked and Willow felt a smile spread across her own face in reply.

“That would be great.”



****


“Slow down Grey”

The wolf swung its head round and barred its teeth slightly.

“Don’t snarl at me. Where are we? You’ve gotten us even more lost.” Looking around all Conan couldn’t see anything familiar. They had been running for twenty minutes straight. His lungs burnt and his breathing was heavy and laboured. His legs were heavy as he climbed over the small shrubs that edged the way along a tarmac rectangle and the huge building before him.

Everything in this godforsaken place looked the same. Trees, concrete, tarmac, bricks buildings, grass and neon plenty of neon, was all he could remember. Everything was repeated. The fact that it was night didn’t help either.

Suddenly the wolf's pace had slowed and its body dropped to the cold hard concrete pavement. Falling to his knees beside the black beast, Conan sucked in a huge gulp of air and hissed at the pain that ran throughout his body.

“What have we stopped for? Finally figured out your as lost as I am?”

Conan shuddered to think what they looked like, with him on his knees and the black wolf lying down with its ears pinned back. Grey looked like he was ready to pounce. Pounce at what Conan didn’t know nor did he want to find out. What he wanted to do was go back to the graveyard and find his friend. He couldn’t believe he had run like she asked. He should have ignored her and stayed.

A sharp nip on his hand drew his attention.

A large white vehicle with flashing lights and a siren sped past their position and sharply took the corner and then sped up again disappearing around the corner. Frowning Conan rose to his feet and looked both ways before darting across the car park. When he reached the building she spun and hugged his body to the side of the building.

Looking back to where he had been on the ground he saw that Grey had disappeared. Looking left and right he couldn’t see the wolf anywhere.

“Grey?” Conan called out softly and frantically into the night air. There was no reply and no wolf.

The wolf did appear and Conan bit his lip and edged his way along the wall and peered around the corner. His eyes instantly picked out the white vehicle. The doors to which were open and there were people gathered round it. Some were running towards the vehicle and others were climbing out. They were all dressed in a similar grab of varying colours.

Scrubs.

Understanding dawned on Conan.

Grey had brought him to a hospital. He continued to watch as a gurney was lowered to the ground from the white vehicle and the doctors and nurses he had been observing wheeled it away at high speed.

Grey had brought him here for a reason, and there was only one possibility that was running through his mind.

There was only one person Grey cared for. His mistress.

Tara.

Was Tara alive?

Was Tara in this hospital? Had Grey sensed her?

Making up his mind rather quickly Conan knew he had to find his friend and fast. They didn’t belong in this world. Anything could go wrong while she was in that hospital.

Conan stepped away from the wall and ran his left hand through his hair and adjusted his glasses with his right. Brushing the dirt from his knees he glanced around quickly and then made his way towards the vehicle. A man dressed in a jumpsuit slammed the doors closed as he was half way across the tarmac of the hospital car park.

Conan continued to watch and walk forwards as the man pulled a cigarette packet from his pocket. He pulled one of the cigarettes from the pack and put it to his lips. Just as he lit the cigarette, his companion moved around from the front of the vehicle and rolled his eyes at the sight.

“Can’t you go an hour without one of those things?”

The taller of the two who had slammed the doors, took a drag of his cigarette and then blew the smoke into the night air. “That is the fifth one tonight.”

“What?” puzzlement flashed across the shorter mans face.

“The fifth body tonight.” The taller one had blonde hair, Conan watch as the light from the hospital entrance reflected of it as he shook his head at the shorter mans question.

“Yeah I know.” The shorter man shrugged and then stretched his back.

With another shake of his blonde head and a drag of his cigarette, the taller man spoke once more. “This place is getting worse.”

“Well that’s what drugs do for you man.”

“Drugs? We get the same neck traumas day in, day out, and you want me to believe that junkies are running round biting people left right and centre. I’m not buying it dude.” A sceptical look graced the blondes face as he threw his cigarette to the floor and stubbed it out with his foot.

Conan was with closer when the short man held up his hands and tilted his head to the right. “Look I’m not saying that…”

Stopping Conan called out interrupting their conversation. “Excuse me.”

“Yeah?” the blonde squinted and frowned at Conan.

“I’m looking for a friend of mine I believe she may be in the hospital, can you tell me how I can find her?”

He looked at Conan like he was stupid and he jerked his thumb towards the hospital entrance, and said one word. “Reception.”

Frowning at the single word Conan resisted the urge to sigh. “Reception? Where can I find that?”

The shorter of the two rolled his eyes at his taller friend and pointed with his hands in the same direction as his friend had. “Go through the main door and then take a sharp left and you can’t miss it, they will help you with finding your friend.”

“Thanks.” With that Conan changed direction and headed to the entrance.

As he made his way he could still hear the men talking

“Weird…”

“What him? He’s no weirder than the usual gang of freaks that roam Sunnydale by night.”

“Yeah you’ve got a point there.”

As he reached the double doors the men’s voices faded with the sound of a chuckle and new sounds assaulted Conan's ears.

The double doors swished open automatically and Conan entered the hospital. Voices intermingled and cries and shouts could be heard coming from every direction. Men and woman wearing scrubs ran past and walk in front of him. Doctor’s in white coats stood to the right comparing notes.

It wasn’t like any hospital he had ever been in.

For one it was clean and looked relatively new, in his dimension people didn’t have the luxury of being clean, demons and war ravaged the world. Almost everything was in ruins. This dimension was a paradise by comparison. Looking to his left Conan saw the reception the two paramedics had directed him to. Edging forward Conan could see a light brown concave desk with four women seated behind. Two of the four were talking to people, while the other two were busy typing away. Stepping up to the desk Conan cleared his throat. A middle aged woman looked up from the screen of her computer and smiled at him while asking him what she could do for him.

“I’m looking for a friend of mine.”

The woman continued to smile “Name?”

“Tara.”

“Do you have a surname to go with that sir?”

Conan adjusted his glasses on his face and apologised. “Sorry McClay, Tara McClay.”

The woman smiled again and typed in the information in to her computer. “And your name sir?”

“Conan Pepper.” Conan accompanied his name with a sharp nod of his head and resisted the strong urge to stand up tall and salute.

“Your relationship to Miss McClay?” the woman didn’t look up as she asked.

“She’s my friend. Are these questions absolutely necessary?”

“Yes sir its standard procedure sir. If you will just bare with me one second and I’ll see if I can find anything information about your friend for you.” Conan's eyebrows inched higher upon his forehead.

The sound of typing and voices filled the air, as he waited for the receptionist to find the relevant information.

“Here we are, Tara McClay.”

“She’s here? She’s Alive? You’re sure?” Disbelief ran through Conan’s voice, he couldn’t believe it, Tara was alive, and his best friend was alive.

“Yes sir she’s alive.” Conan watch as the receptionist grew concerned as tears welled in his eyes. Removing his glasses Conan ruthlessly rubbed them away before they could fall.

“Can I see her?”

“I’m afraid not sir, she has been moved in to the intensive care unit and visiting hours are over for today.”

Shaking his head Conan just had to see her he had to see form himself that she was alive. “Can I speak to some body? A doctor and nurse anybody, I want to know how she is doing.”

“Of course sir. Why don’t you take a seat and I’ll just call someone for you.”

“Thank you.”



****


‘She looks so small’ was the first thought that entered Willow’s mind as she looked at Tara, she lay ashen faced in the hospital bed. The last time Willow had seen Tara she being wheeled into surgery. Then she had been covered in blood. Now she was clean and dressed in a hospital gown. The lower half of her body was covered by a white sheet and Willow could see the bandage partially visible under the neck of the gown.

Her hair fell around her face and covered the pillow.

A beeping sound rang in the air and Willow swivelled her neck and looked at the young doctor. He smiled apologetically and looked down at the pager on his belt.

“I have to get this Miss Rosenberg, just give me a second.”

Nodding Willow turned her attention back to Tara. “Ok.”

“I’ll be right back.”

The doctor quietly left the room and Willow saw him move to the nurse station and pick up the phone behind the desk.

Looking back at Tara Willow took a step closer to the bed. Willow didn’t know why she felt this way towards someone she didn’t know, someone she had met once, a girl she had met once.

When she had looked at Tara being put into the ambulance her chest had felt like it was going to explode. The mere thought of this girl she had just met dieing was inconceivable and utterly unbearable. When she had told Buffy about how she felt from Tara she knew the Slayer didn’t understand how could she? She didn’t quite understand it herself.

She knew nothing about Tara, and yet she wanted to know everything. She wanted to know where she was from, how old she was, what she liked to eat, what was her favourite flower, her favourite animal, when had she first begun learning spells, what was favourite scent, did she have a favourite book.

She wanted to know what she had been doing in the graveyard, how she had gotten hurt. Willow knew technically it was the demons Buffy had killed, but why had they attacked Tara, had she done something or had it been a coincidence. Willow also knew that normal people didn’t frequent graveyards in Sunnydale at night.

As they waited for the paramedics to arrive Willow had seen the wheels turning in Giles mind as he pondered the whole situation. The same questions that had run through her mind were bound to have been running through the watchers. She knew he would be running through the herbs that Tara had brought from the Magic Box yesterday. He would be thinking of every conceivable spell that would require those particular herbs.

She had indicated she knew what she was doing, and Giles while he had been hesitant had trusted his instincts and sold her what she needed. Obviously she had run into more trouble that she could handle.

Reaching down Willow brushed her fingers against the back of Tara’s hand. The need to touch her to feel that warmth and a connection from the body that looked so cold was overwhelming.

A throat being cleared behind her drew her attention spinning round Willow blushed guiltily at being caught.

“We have to leave now Miss Rosenberg, I’m sorry. You can visit your friend again tomorrow.”

“That ok, when will you move her?”

“In two to three days, possibly longer it all depends on when she wakes and what condition she is in.”

“I understand.” Nodding Willow forced a smile on to her face and turned back towards the doctor and began to move towards him.

“I have just been informed another of your friends is waiting at the reception.”

“Another of my friends?”


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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated 23/03/08)
PostPosted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:29 am 
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Yay for great update-y goodness... I hope Conan & Grey are able to help Willow & Scoobies... I really really hope that Tara soon wakes up and is able to enjoy Willow-smoochies soon...

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated 23/03/08)
PostPosted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:06 pm 
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Zampsa1975 - thanks for the feedback it is always welcome. Don't worry Tara will wake up soon for those Willow- smoochies.


Ok here is the next part...



Part 10



“Another one of my friends?” Willow repeated when the doctor gave her a puzzled look. He held open the heavy wooden doors that lead from the intensive care unit.

The doctor looked down at the clipboard he held and then looked back up at Willow. He could see the confused look on her face and once he had the name of Tara’s other visitor, he did see any recognition. “Yes a… Mr Pepper.”

The name drew a blank with Willow she had never met anyone she could recall with the surname Pepper.

“I don’t know anybody called Pepper.” Willow winced the moment the words left her lips. Shaking her head at her own slip Willow internally cursed herself for not lying and going along with the doctor.

The doctor’s eyebrow raised at her reply, his brow creased and his mouth twisted in thought. “Oh he claims he is a friend of Ms McClay’s I just presumed…”

“Oh well I haven’t known Tara that long so...” ‘That was a major understatement’ thought Willow.

“I understand, you don’t know all her friends.”

He smiled gently at Willow and the redhead forced herself to return the doctor’s smile.

Deep down she was worried about whom it was that had come to the hospital for Tara and how they had found her. There had been nobody around when they had stumbled upon her, only the demons that Buffy had dispatched with her usual ease.

The doctor steered Willow through the doors that lead from the intensive care and in a few minutes Willow was standing back in front of her friends.

“Well Miss Rosenberg, Visiting hours are from 11am to 7pm as you saw your friend is in room 250. In the forms you filled in the next of kin was left blank. Are you aware if Miss McClay has any family in the immediate area?”

Willow saw Giles step forward and lock eyes with the young doctor. “Yes she neglected to mention any.”

“You are?”

“Rupert Giles, Miss McClay’s current employer. She has only recently begun to work for me.” Willow knew Giles has seen her panic when the doctor asked her about any family and he had quickly come to her rescue. Buffy must have told him that she had lied on the forms.

The doctor seemed to take Giles word and nodded. “Well visiting in ICU is restricted to close family members, but under the circumstances I’ll have you cleared Miss Rosenberg.”

“Thank you Dr Stone.”

”no problem Miss Rosenberg, it was a pleasure to meet you; I only wish it had been under better circumstances… Now if you will excuse me I have other things to attend to.”

Willow watch as the gently smiling doctor left them and made his was towards the front of the hospital.

“Was she ok Will?” Buffy ran a hand over her face and started intently at Willow

“She looked so small, not at all like the girl that tripped over me in the magic box.”

“You never said she tripped over you will.” Embracement flushed over Willow’s face at Buffy’s gentle teasing.

Feeling the need to explain herself Willow began to babble. “Well I dropped my pencil and it rolled under the table, so I crawled under to retrieve the traitorous little piece of lead filled wood and the next thing I know there was a blonde girl sprawled across the floor.”

Laughing Xander waggled his eyebrows at his oldest friend. “You certainly know who to knock a girl off her feet Will.”

Smiling gently at Xander comment willow couldn’t help the yawn the distorted her face.

“Well perhaps we should all head home it’s late.”

“Yeah Giles is right, Xan could you give Will a ride back to the dorm? I’ll catch a ride with Giles I want to swing by and see mom anyway.”

Giving Buffy a salute Xander smiled at Willow. “Sure, anything for the Buffster.”

Rolling her eyes at Xander’s antics Buffy turned and through an arm around Willow’s shoulders and began to lead the whole group from the large waiting room.



****

Conan was getting impatient he had been waiting for someone to come and talk to him for a while. All he wanted to know was if his friend was ok.

“Mr Pepper?”

Looking up Conan jumped as a tall man came to a halt in front of him. He was dressed in a white lab coat and held a clipboard in his hand. “Yes I’m Mr Pepper.”

He held out his hand in greeting and Conan quickly gripped it and returned the shake. “I’m Dr Stone; I believe you came here to see Miss McClay?”

Nodding at the doctor Conan looked him in the eye. “Yes that right. Is she ok?”

“What is your relationship to Miss McClay?” he pulled a pun from his lab coat pocket and click the top.

“She’s my best friend; I have known her for two years.” The doctor nodded and started to write on his board.

“Do you think you could help fill in a few details about Miss McClay?”

“Sure if I can. Can I see her?”

The doctor shook his head no. “I’m afraid that’s not possible at the moment Miss McClay has been through a terrible ordeal and has yet to awaken for her surgery.”

Conan felt his shoulders slump. “Ok.”

“Has Miss McClay any family in the immediate area?”

Conan looked at the doctor and slowly shook his head. “No, no family in the area.”

“Would it be possible to contact her family?”

‘Not unless you possess the ability to jump from dimension to dimension doc then no don’t think it is’ “No.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I also need information on Miss McClay’s medical insurance.”

Medical insurance? What the hell was that? Conan frowned, this world sure was different. You had to pay to receive aid? Well if it was money they wanted he would get it, somehow. He would pay anything for his friend. “Erm…I’ll find that out for you.”

“Excellent, well visiting hours are at 11am to 7pm you can come any time between those hours to visit your friend.”

“Thank you doctor.”

“I'm just doing my job Mr Pepper.”

“Still I have thank you for saving my friends life.”

The beeper attached to the doctor’s belt sounded out. Conan watched as the doctor looked at the small imbedded screen and the back at him. He smiled apologetically and placed his clip board under his arm.

“I was simply on of a well trained team Mr Pepper. I have to be no my way duty calls.”

“Yes well thank you again.” Conan reached out his hand and felt it grasped by the doctor in a short but firm hand shake.

Conan watched as the doctor turned and his eyes fell upon and group of people leaving the hospital. A blonde woman had her arm around a redhead as she guided her from the emergency room. There was a man in a Hawaiian shirt with a woman on his arm and an older gentle man.

The doctor cleared his throat and called out to the group. “Miss Rosenberg.”

The read head turned and Conan gasped. “Hello again Dr.”

“Miss Rosenberg i'd like you to meet Mr Pepper, I believe you have a mutual friend in Miss McClay.”

Conan recognised her straight away; he saw a touch of recognition flash in her green eyes, before she swung the emerald orbs back to the retreating doctor.

“You know Tara.”

“Yes we meet this afternoon…”

“…at the Magic shop. I saw you.” He watched as the redhead nodded firmly as he finished her sentence.

“Why are you here?” He was shocked and curious as to why the girl he had teased Tara about this afternoon was here in the hospital.

“We found her, how did you know she was here?”

Panic surged into his heart; he knew he couldn’t tell her that a wolf had brought him here. It didn’t sound so insane to him, but to her it might. Although judging by where she liked to hang out maybe she wouldn’t freak out. “An educated guess.”

Conan watched as ‘Miss Rosenberg’ frowned at his reply and her lips twisted slightly. The small blonde behind her radiated danger, he couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was about her that told him to be wary. It wasn’t that she scarred him she just had this feel of power around her. She was hovering at the back of her friend, her arms locked together sporting a menacing look that was all for him.

“We found her in the…”

The older man standing with another man wearing a colourful shirt and a woman in a short red dress, stepped forward, he held up his hand and halted the red heads sentence. “Perhaps we should take this somewhere else.”

Shaking his head Conan frowned. “Id rather not… I have to see Tara.”

The older man removed his spectacles and began to clean them. “I think it is best to wait until morning.”

With another shake of his head Conan disagreed. He couldn’t leave Tara; she wouldn’t leave him so he wouldn’t leave her. “I would rather wait here.”

“Young man, I believe you should come with us.” The firm tone the older man used was not lost upon him. He wasn’t a child, where did this man get of trying to tell him what to do. He didn’t know any off these people yet they wanted him to abandon his friend and go with them. Shaking his head he tried to dislodge the little voice in his mind that told him he had already done those four hours ago when he ran.

“I don’t know any off you why would I go with you?”

“I saw you with Tara; we just want to know what happened.” The redhead tone was gentle and he could see she looked tired. Shifting his attention her. He told her that he didn’t want to leave here; he would wait till he had seen Tara with his own two eyes before he would leave.

“I saw her.”

His eyes widened at her words. She had seen Tara. “You did?! The doctor told me that…”

“I know, but she’s fine…honestly, please we just want to help Tara… and you.”

Mistrust was something that was rooted deep in Conan’s heart Tara was the only person he trusted. In his world she was the only person he had seen for two years. As far as he knew he was the only human in his world that had been left alive. She appeared out of thin air one day and had wormed her way into his heart.

“Ok but I’m not leaving here.” He didn’t add that he didn’t have nay place else to go. There was something that these people, who ever they where didn’t need to know.

“We can go back to where we were just seated, it was quite there.” He watched as the redhead the man that had called Willow looked back at the older man as if asking him permission. The older man nodded and then she gently moved her head back around and smiled at him.


****


Willow looked at the dirty man in front of her. He was relatively well dressed. His trousers had mud all over the knees and his glasses held a smudge or two of dirt. His hair was greased back 50’s style and his light brown eyes spoke of nervousness. He was on edge and his eyes flick round the room as he took in everything, occasionally he would stop and stare at something like he had never seen it before.

Buffy was standing close to her, she was in full on protective mode and nothing Willow could say would get the slayer to relax. Smiling Willow sat down the fairly empty waiting room. There was an old man slumped in a chair 4 feet away from them but he was the only on there.

Considering the man wouldn’t leave the hospital Giles had finally agreed to have the talk here. Willow was desperate to know everything. She wanted to know who Tara was, where they had come from. What was his relationship to Tara? Was he her boyfriend? Friend? Or brother? She wanted to know how long they had known each other. When had they come here? Where he was when Tara had been attacked? She had forgotten all about him, but the moment she had seen him she had remembered Tara running across the street towards him.

“Tara was attacked…”

“I know.” His voice was soft and Willow had to strain to hear his reply. Buffy however had no problem and glared at the man with his head bowed in front of them.

“You know? What the hell is that suppose to mean?”

“Buffy!” pushing a finger to her lips Willow tried to hush the slayer. She needed to know everything and a hostile Buffy was not going to help her get answers.

“I know because I was there.”

“We didn’t see you.” Shocked Willow swung back around and gave Conan her attention.

“I thought she was dead.” He looked up and Willow saw tears in his eyes

Giles cleared his throat and looked over at Conan. “Mr Pepper…”

“Conan.”

“Excuse me?”

His head bowed again and Willow watched as he fidgeted with his glasses in a very Giles like way. “Conan, it’s my name, please don’t call me Mr Pepper that was my father.” Willow watched as a grimace flashed across the mans face as he spoke.

“As you wish… Conan, my name is Rupert Giles.” Willow saw Giles indicate to them all as he introduced them. “That is Buffy and Willow you have spoken to, this is Xander and that is Anya.” Willow smiled as Giles said her name, and Conan hesitantly returned it. “Perhaps you should start from the beginning.”

“The beginning…”

Willow listened as Conan told them how Tara had gone the magic box for ingredients for a spell, Giles asked what spell, but Conan just shrugged and said he didn’t have a clue; he told them he knew nothing about magic. He told of how he had been keeping watch as she cast that was when the demons showed up.

“They just appeared?”

“No they came through the graveyard.”

“You where in the graveyard? You neglected to mention that fact.” Willow could tell Giles was concerned; his tone was sharp and biting. Normal people did not hang around graveyards casting unknown spells.

“I didn’t? I didn’t know it was illegal to be in a graveyard.”

“It isn’t but this is Sunnydale, bad stuff happens to people at night and the kind of people who hanging around in graveyards are my business”

Willow could see the nerdy looking young man was getting frustrated. He shook his head and started to rise.

The hacker shot Buffy and Giles a warning look. “Please... just tell us what happened.”

He let his body drop back to the plastic chair and shifted his gaze around the group. “Well like I said those demons showed up.”

“Have you ever seen anything like them before?”

“You mean demons in general or just those demons?”

“Well considering you knew that they were demons answers the demons in general question.” Conan flashed a full smile and Willow saw perfectly straight white teeth.

“To answer to your other question then. No, they were not any species of demon I’m familiar with.”

“How familiar with Demons are you?” Willow watched as the dark look passed over Conan’s face at Buffy’s question.

“Unfortunately I’m very familiar.” He shook his head as if to dislodge some memory and then continued to speak. “Look those things, they attacked us. Tara saved my life when they shot some sort of barbs at me. They hit her and she told me to run. I did as she said I know I should have stayed to help her, but she told me to run and I always do what she says. I have survived much longer than I ever thought I would do because of her.” Guilt was weighing heavy upon him. Willow could tell he blamed himself for what had happened to Tara. He had a haunted look upon his face.

“How did you find her?” His eyes bored into hers willing her to give him information.

“We... I mean Buffy and I where walking home…through the grave yard, Buffy fought the demons and I went to Tara.”

“You fought the demons and won?” Disbelief was in his voice.

Buffy straightened at his tone and smirked. “Yeah it’s what I do.”

“You’re a demon hunter?”

Willow saw Buffy’s eyebrows rise and the title demon hunter and her lips quirked. “Yeah I guess you could call me that.”

“You both saved my friend.”

“Anybody would have done the same thing.” Smiling gently Willow shrugged

Conan gently moved his head form side to side in disagreement. “I don’t think so. Thank you, I can never repay you.”


Last edited by Reece on Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated April 05/08)
PostPosted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:13 pm 
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Dibs!

Hey, it's good to see you again, I'm excited about this update, I missed this story :)

I like how tender the relationship between Conan and Willow is and how strongly Conan and Tara's bond is. I can't wait for the backstory :P

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated April 05/08)
PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:46 am 
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Yay for excellent update-y goodness... I hope Conan remembers to mention Grey so the Scooby Gang could look after him white Tara is in hospital... I hope Conan starts to trust the Scoobies and tells the whole story...

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated April 05/08)
PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:09 pm 
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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.


Last edited by Reece on Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:42 am, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated April 06/08)
PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:34 pm 
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I just want to say that you've just found a new reader.
Keep up the good work, Reece.


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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated April 06/08)
PostPosted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:16 am 
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Great update-y goodness... I hope Tara wakes up soon and finds loving green eyes to meet her when she soes so...

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated April 06/08)
PostPosted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:57 pm 
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KloeFrost - thank you very much or the feedback and I will certainly try to keep up the good work and I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

Zampsa1975 - hello, Tara will awaken very soon I promise. ;-)



Here is the next part , enjoy!!!

Reece.



Part 12



The dreamscape shifted once more as images flooded her mind

There where trees everywhere.

A presence loomed over her.

Was it Donald again? No someone else.

Dark hair obscured her view and she was shoved unceremoniously behind a lithe and muscular body.

A female body. A hand was firmly attached to her wrist and the woman who held her warned something to back away.

A familiar voice.

Dark brown eyes penetrated her soul.

Nuine.

Lady Nuine.

Nuine’s dark mane shifted, brushing her face and her wrist was released as she was pushed backwards.

Nuine spun her rapier cut through the air as she thrust the thin, sharp blade towards the heart of the figure in her path.

The shadow?

No.

A demon.

Hundreds? Thousands? Demons as far as her eye could see.

Her arm was seized again her.

Eyes.

Blue eyes.

Donald’s blue eyes again and she was pulled away for the sight of the lady in full flight as she battled the demons.

He pulled her body through the thick undergrowth.

The trees thinned and she could see the stones as they jutted at odd and uneven angles for the ground.

A furred shape brushed her legs as she stood her mouth agape.

Grey.

Clarity suddenly washed over.

No she would not leave.

Then she saw the muscular body of her brother pull to a halt looking at him his jaw was set with such determination.

She saw his thoughts and she could feel his regret.

He wanted to protect her.

But she could help, she could stop this.

He wouldn’t let her.

He would doom mother.

He would doom their world.

Doom them all by sending her away.

His mouth moved.

An apology?

No it was instructions.

He spoke words as he grasped her hand, saying words that she didn’t want to hear.

He told her to run and to hide.

Quickly a searing pain engulfed her hand as cold steal split open her palm.

Warmth flowed from the wound on her palm painting her skin and the earth beneath her feet red.

Something was pressed into her other palm as Grey brushed against her legs again and pressed his body into her own.

The open palm was placed gently and lovingly upon the stone pedestal.

Her eyes widened as the world around her began to fade.

No.

Why?

Why was he making her leave?

Why would he do this?

Her brother’s face and body blurred as he stepped away from her shifting form.

His whispered words that barely reached her ears tore at her heart.

‘Goodbye... Tara…be happy’



****



Willow had spent the morning with Conan and Buffy and Giles.

Before they had entered Tara’s ICU room after Conan Buffy had questioned Giles about the demon she had brought back for him. Looking up Willow remembered the brief frown that flashed across the Giles’s face as he looked at Buffy. He shook his head in sheer frustration and told her he knew nothing.

He told her that he had taken notes and researched the corpse, but there was nothing about what species of Demon it was anywhere in all the books he owned. He told them that when Anya and Xander arrived at the Magic Box he had questioned Anya. The former vengeance demon had looked at the dead demon on the training room floor and promptly announced that she had never encountered them in her time as a demon. He then enlisted Xander’s help and together they disposed of the rotting corpse early this morning. Buffy had nodded in understanding and then told Giles he should have called her earlier she would have come and helped.

Willow smiled at the memory, only Buffy could be put out by the fact that she wasn’t involved in the disposal of a demon corpse. Willow knew that the slayer must have taken care of the others that were left in the graveyard before she brought the remaining one to Giles.

Giles had left for the magic box a little after one o’clock, as he wanted to re-run through Anya’s findings. He extracted a promise from them that they would be at the Magic Box by 3 this afternoon.

As the older man had made his way for the room Willow saw Giles’s head dip as he whispered something to Buffy. Her friend nodded at the low words and her eyes tightened.

She instinctively knew whatever Giles had said it had to do with the man who was sitting solemnly at the head of the bed. Conan had spent the morning with his head in his hands.

When she had entered the room after Buffy and Giles had finally agreed that ample time had passed from when Conan left. She had found him in tears kneeling on the floor, his head pressed to Tara’s hand, as he repeatedly apologised for letting Tara down. Willow had found the situation slightly uncomfortable, she didn’t know what to do and she had the feeling that Conan wouldn’t accept her help.

So she had simply walked around the bed that held Tara and sat at the opposite side silently letting the man gather himself.

Silence had reigned over the past three hours. The only sound that could be heard was Buffy’s leafing through some magazine she had liberated from one of the female nurses. She had seen her friend slip out of the room for a minute or two after Giles had left and stand at the nurse’s station. She returned a few minutes later with chair a small grin gracing her lips and clutching a magazine in her left hand.

Willow’s head snapped up as a heart-rending scream emanated from the body on the hospital bed.

Standing up Willow rushed over to the bed and the blonde who was screaming a name over.

“Tara…”



****



The dream faded and the all consuming blackness that had engulfed her began to fade. Tara could feel the pain that radiated from her chest as it spread throughout her body. She felt like she had been trampled on by a heard of rampaging bulls.

Someone was screaming. The sound of her own voice penetrated through the fog of her mind.

Donald. Tara realised it was her own voice. She had called out for her brother. Her childhood protector.

Darkness engulfed her once more and she felt herself falling as oblivion washed over her.

The came voices. They were muffled, and sounded like they were talking from a great distance, as if they were being listened to underwater. Slowly the voices began to gain clarity and so did her inner thoughts.

Her only brother.

Thoughts of Donald flooded her mind as she struggled to open her eyes. She hadn’t thought of Donald in so long, so why now?

With a concerned effort she forced her eyes open. The moment she opened her eyes she slammed them shut in pain. The light had streamed through her open lids and assaulted her pupils like a million tiny little daggers piercing the surface.

Forcing her eyes open once more her pupils contracted and desperately tried to regulate the amount of light that shined onto her retinas. Faces swam into view as her vision started to clear.

Concerned green eyes flecked with fear and worry drew her attention. Beautiful was the word that filled her mind as the girls face came into focus. Flaming red hair framed a stunningly beautiful.

She remembered the eyes, how could se forget them. The girls name eluded her as she tried to focus her mind.

The beautiful girl’s lips moved as she said her name. “Tara…”

Her name sounded strange as it reached her ears, it was muted and echoed as if she was in a cavern.

Willow. That was her name. Joy spread throughout the blonde’s soul as she remembered that single word. Tara felt her eyes follow the girl as she moved slightly.

“Is she ok?” A new voice came from somewhere outside of her field of vision. A female voice.

“Tara can you hear me?” an old voice. It was familiar to her and it held a deep and silky quality. Conan. Her friend his voice was at odds with his body, it was almost as if his body had never quite caught up with his voice. His voice was quite and he always seemed to think before he spoke, unless he was nervous or scared.

The voices kept speaking and belatedly Tara realised that they were speaking to her.

Gentle fingers grasped her head and pulled upwards on her eye lid simultaneously while a light flashed in both. The face of a man came into focus as Tara tried to speak.

Her tongue felt huge and her voice refused to come. Rolling her tongue around inside her mouth Tara swallowed repeatedly as she tried in vain to lubricate her throat; she tried to answer the voices but all she managed was a parched croak.

The face above her smiled, the man's eyes crinkled as if it was something he did often.

“Hello Tara, my name is Dr Stone. Just lie still and rest, you have been through quite the ordeal.” The voice was soft and the doctor laid a hand gently upon her shoulder and squeezed.

A doctor? Was the thought that reverberated around her brain. Why did she need a Doctor? As the questions formed the answers came just as quick. The transfiguration spell, the demons, the graveyard, the pain and then the darkness.

Panic and worry flooded her being as she remembered Conan running.

“Co..n..an?”

Conan took her hand and she felt a slight tremor run through her arm as her friends hand shook. “Yeah I’m here Tare and I’m fine, don’t worry.”

Relief spread through her as she heard her friend’s words, he had escaped intact.

“Tara? How are you feeling?” Tara recognised the doctors gently probing voice.

“P…pain.”

“Ok I can give you a mild pain killer that should alleviate any discomfort you are feeling.” Sympathy entered his tone as he spoke and moved away.

“H…h…how…”

“Did you get here?” Tara closed her eyes as the man who said he was called Dr Stone finished her question for her.

“Well your friends brought you in when you had an accident at work. You had some nasty looking barbs imbedded in your upper torso. We managed to remove the barbs and all embedded fragments left in the wound.”

His words made no sense to Tara. Friends? The only friend she had was Conan. Tara’s confusion grew, she did not work, and what she did do she doubted the doctor would approve. Tara wondered what Conan had told him.

“How long have I been here?”

A feeling of relief spread throughout her body.

“You came in last night; you have been in ICU since your surgery ended.”

Again Tara felt her hand taken. A few seconds later and a feeling of numbness washed over her body and the dark oblivion called to her once again.


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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated April 10/08)
PostPosted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:05 am 
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Yay for great update-y goodness... Good for Tara to wake up... I hope she tells Willow about her dream and Willow tells her about Sunnydale...

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated April 10/08)
PostPosted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 6:13 am 
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Hey sorry I've missed the last few updates .. but superb work. I'm really enjoying this story! :D

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated April 10/08)
PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 9:41 am 
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Thank you for the feedback I am sorry I am late getting back to you, but I have been busy with exams and stuff. But at last I am free for a while so hopefully I should be able to get some writing done.

Zampsa1975 - thanks for the feedback, Tara will tell Willow and the gang all very soon

LittleBit - it’s no biggy I am glad you have caught up and I am glad that you have enjoyed the updates and I hope you continue to do so.


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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated May 22/08)
PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 9:42 am 
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Part 13



Razilian Gripe was a small man and an opportunistic human being. He had been taught by his mother from an early age to do what ever he must to better himself. To him betterment and obtaining power were the same thing.

He had been taught by his mother from the age of five to use magic, much to her surprise and joy he had been a natural, quickly absorbing everything she had to offer. She wanted nothing more for him to be the best and he wanted nothing more than to rip her throat out. He hated his mother and everything she stood for.

She was a pure witch. Revered and praised amongst their people. She wanted him to be the best he could be, she wanted him to be a good man, and all he wanted was power. Razilian smiled as he thought, he would truly be the best when he had all the power he could get his hands upon.

The warlock watched silently from the shadows as a huge hunched back demon entered the room. Tilting his head to one side Razilian watched as beams of golden sunlight steamed through the high windows of the former throne room lighting the stone before the demons path.

Razilian couldn’t help but think of how at odds it was that this place, this throne room, this land he had once called home was now the seat of power for everything he had been raised to loath and instinctually hate. A smile graced his lips as he contemplated the role he played in the demise of his people.

The demon was almost luminous in the sunlight making its green scales shine unnaturally. Razilian was certain that the scales were never meant to see the light of day never mind this scared place.

It seemed to hunch even more as it grew closer to its master. It was a Trifold demon, not one of the worst demons he had ever encountered but certainty one of the most creative. Razilian smirked as he watched the demon drop to his knees in submission.

The master, their lord, the mist, he was everything and yet he was nothing. He had no form, yet he wielded such unparallel power. The demons revered him and the humans feared him, Razilian did neither. He severed the lord because it was the only path left for him.

“My lord you requested my presence?”

“Ah Cling. The boy?”

Razilian smiled as the demon almost stuttered out a reply to the being that controlled all their lives. “Still wont speak My Lord, I have tortured him beyond belief, and His body pays testament to his stubbornness. I have taken his eye, I have broken his legs and devils only know what else and he still refuses to speak.”

“Hmmm…” the lord’s voice was deep and resonated within the cold stone walls. To Razilian it was as if he was speaking to him from hell.

“I eviscerated a woman and child in front of him my lord for some incentive and not a flicker. I spoke of the prime and what was to come but nothing, he will not speak.” Razilian couldn’t help having a silent laugh at the demons expense. Such tasteless methods never wield the desired results.

“Perhaps I should give the task to another.”

Razilian watched as panic entered the demons eyes at the thought of being demoted.

“My lord I can make him speak”

“Evidently not.”

“My lord…”

“Time is forever ticking by Cling.” The demon visibly wilted before the mist and Razilian found the demons begging to be nauseating.

“My lord, give me one more chance.”

“I think not.”

“Please my lord!! Let me prove to you I can make him speak.”

“You have had ample chance.”

“Please my lord!!”

“Your methods are lacking in style and finesse, by the time you have finished he will be nothing more that a torso.”

“Shut up human!!!!” Clings scales shifted and turned a deep blue colour showing his displeasure, his fists clenched and large claws sprung forth from between his knuckles.

Razilian was not intimated in the slightest. “Perhaps I should shut you up, I think your throat would look splendid hanging around my neck, perhaps I could attach your eyes as well as a testament to your rather barbaric methods.”

“Try it human, I’d have you on the floor begging for your life faster than you could blink.”

“Such confidence demon. It’s a shame you could never back up your claim.”

“ENOUGH!!!” suddenly Razilian felt a huge weight press against his skull as the word emitted by the mist reverberated inside his cranium. “Razilian I see you finally decided to announce your presence.”

It took all of Razilian’s skill and control to force his mouth open to speak. “My lord I came as soon as I received your word.”

“Cling has failed me.”

“As I always suspected he would my lord, I will do better.”

Razilian saw Cling start for him his left arm raised high above his head claws extended. “You pathetic human, you’re not fit for anything other than a meal.”

“Silence!”

Before Cling could utter another word the flesh of his lips knitted together and a horrified look twisted the normally scowling face of the demon.

“You shall finish Cling’s task Razilian.”

Bowing his head Razilian smiled in anticipation. “Of course my lord I shall have the information you desire by the rise of the first moon.”

A harsh and strained laugh came from the mist that surrounded the throne upon which the being sat. “We shall see. Do not fail me Razilian.”

“Never my lord.”

“I do loath disappointment.”

Suddenly Cling’s mute body rose up off the floor. A look of silent agony locked upon his face. Razilian strode from the room refusing to look at the sight that was being played out behind him. The spell of muteness had been removed and the sound of crushing bones and screams echoed of the walls of the former throne room.

As he reached the double doors that lead form the room Razilian heard the mist’s rasped cry of determination.

“Soon…girl …so very soon you shall be mine.”



****



Willow watched at the doctor injected something into the IV in Tara’s hand. The girl closed her eyes seconds later and her breathing became deep and even.

The doctor smiled gently but firmly as he turned towards them. “Your friend needs her rest.”

“Is she ok?”

“Yes apart from a little fatigue and pain she should make a full recovery Mr Pepper.”

Relief filled Willow as the Doctors words entered her mind. Tara would be fine and that was all that mattered to her. Why the blonde woman she had spoken to once affect her so mush she didn’t know.

“Thank God.” The doctor smiled slightly at Willow as she the words escaped her and then he looked down at his watch.

“Well as I said your friend needs her rest and her recovery will take time. I would suggest that you all go home get something to eat and then perhaps come back later.”

“I don’t want to leave her.”

“Mr Pepper your friend will be asleep for quite awhile, and you look like you could do with a few extra hours sleep.”

“I don’t know…”

“You can come with us Conan.”

“I …” remembering Grey Conan shook his head at Willow. “I should really go and get some sleep like the doctor suggested.”

Willow saw Buffy fold her arms across her chest and her face adopted a look that meant business. “Giles said that you should come with us.”

“No thank you I’ll be fine on my own.”

“This inst negotiable.”

“Buffy!!” looking outraged Willow glared at Buffy whose face was set with determination.

“No Willow, Giles said he had to come with us. He wants to talk to you.”

“I don’t get a choice?”

“No not in this.”

“Fine, will we be long?”

“I don’t know.”

“Let me get my bags.”



****


Giles stood as a stern Buffy, a scowling Willow and a resigned looking Conan walked through the doors of the Magic Box. “There you three are, I was beginning to get worried.”

Willow smiled a touch as she spoke. “Tara woke up.”

“That’s splendid news.”

“Yeah it is.”

“She was pretty out of it as you can understand Conan didn’t want to leave.”

Giles could see the warning in Willow’s eyes as she sat down at the table but he knew this conversation had to take place. “Well this is important.”

“And my friend isn’t?”

“Quite the opposite she is very important and so are you. Mr Pepper please have a seat I believe it will be easier to sit while we talk.”

Giles motioned for Conan to sit in the chair at Willows right.

“Ok.”

The moment Conan sat Giles removed his glasses and wipped his handkerchief over his face. “I think it is best for me to get straight to the point. I would like you explain to me why dimensional hunter demon's attacked both you and Miss McClay.”

Conan’s face paled as the word dimensional stuck him. He didn’t know how these people had found out about the demons but he didn’t like what he had been told. “Dimensional?”

“Yes.”

“Is that what they were?”

“Yes, they are called Gredfhy demons that’s the correct pronunciation isn’t it Anya.”

Conan saw the woman called Anya nod and a smug look passed over her face. “Yes Giles.”

“Anya here is quite familiar with demon species and after a little digging she was able to find out all the information we required.”

“I…”

“Mr Pepper who are you?”

“Just Conan Pepper, you’re typical average joe.”

“Yet you're friends with a witch.”

Frowning Conan felt defensive, how dare these people question his friendship with Tara. Did they believe he would hurt them? “Is that a crime? Cause I wasn’t aware there was a law restricting whose company one can keep.”

“Mr Pepper I know your not telling us everything.”

“I have every right to tell you what I want to.”

“We can help you.” Looking at Buffy as she spoke Conan snorted.

“It’s not me who needs the help.”

“Tara?”

“Your being hunted the Gredfhy, they are pretty high level hunters, you two must have done something.”

Conan felt his body lean back as the woman called Anya leaned forward as she pointed a finger at his chest. Her eyes narrowed and her lips pinched and she tried to intimidate him. “We haven’t done anything!!”

“Well you’re obviously lying.”

“I am not.”

“Yes you are I can tell. You pick up things after enacting vengeance upon men for centuries, and knowing when one is lying is a prerequisite.”

“I am not lying.”

Conan saw Anya look at Buffy and then gesture towards him. “Buffy hit him, make him tell the truth.”

Buffy shook her head and glared at Anya. “Anya!! I’m not hitting him. Look Conan we can help, it's what we do.”

“I have to go, I suddenly feel tired.”

“You’re lying again.”

Glaring at the ex-demon Conan stood and grabbed his bags from the floor. “I’m not staying to listen to her accusations.” With one last glare at Anya Conan headed for the door.

“Wait Conan Anya’s…just being Anya, please stay we really can help you, and Tara.”

“You can’t help.” With a shake of his head Conan continued to stare at the door that led to the outside.

“Of course we can, I could give your our demon fighting resume if it will help. Credentials are important and we have many. In fact I can probably compile you a list of every demon we have ever encountered, I have been keeping a kind of encyclopaedia demonica on my laptop its quite fascinating if you into that kind of thing…”

A smile twisted Conan’s lips as he looked back at Willow. “I need to speak to Tara first.”

“Well we won’t be able to do that for a while, please let us help you.”

“I…”

“Please you don’t have to go into detail, but you could tell us something and when Tara wakes up we call all talk and maybe you will let us help you both.”

“I…ok.”

“Ok?”

“Yes Willow ok, you have twisted my arm.”

A smile lit up Willow's face as Conan consented to stay. “That’s me Willow ‘the arm twister’ Rosenberg.”

“Mr Pepper would you like to take your seat again.”

Nodding his head Conan moved back towards the table and dropped his bags and took his seat once more. “Sure Mr Giles.”

“So… talk.”

“Anya shut up.”

“You wanted to know where I’m from.”

“Yes Mr Pepper.”

“I’m not really sure where exactly it is now but I’m not from this dimension…”

“Well we had guessed that part.”

“An please.” Rolling her eyes at Xander’s plea Anya folded her arms across her chest and leaned back against the counter.

“… I was born in a country called Marato which is America. My world was ravaged by a war. Demons and humans fought savagely for my world. They fought ultimately in vain. Destroying each other. I was one of a handful of humans who survived the terrible war. I was teenager when the war started, just thirteen. Thirteen and I taken from my mother I was recruited and forced to fight. It was clear early on to my superiors that I just wasn’t made for combat. I did however posses and uncanny ability with technology of any kind. If it needed fixing I could do it, if it needed reprogramming I was the little guy they sent. So they used my ability and trained me. I still had to learn to fight, everyone did it was the main rule.
I fought and killed demons for eleven years. Then it was over.”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know the exact details we were simple soldiers we weren’t told anything. It was just one final assault and everything was gone. Bombs of some sort I think, they blew everything up to destroy the demons. Only they destroyed everything in the process. The world was left in ruins the war finished with utter destruction. There was no victor. I moved around the worlds hiding from the last humans and demons alive. I scrapping a living eating anything I could find…”

Conan's face twisted in distaste and memories of the horrific things he had done to survive flashed and screamed across his mind.

“How did you meet Tara?”

Conan’s eyes glazed as his mind drifted and a particular memory struck. “She was clean.”

“Clean?”

“Yeah it’s the first thing I noticed about her, she was clean. No one was clean.”

A multitude of puzzled looks greeted him and Conan smiled sadly.

“You have to understand nothing was left the earth was a pile of rubble, black and burnt earth. There were no flora or fauna, no animals. Not even a single bird. Yes it rained but it burnt, the after effects of the bombs. Water was a much sort after commodity yet there before me as I ran for my life from an Adage Demon was an angel. A clean girl with a halo of golden hair, she destroyed the demon and saved me from certain death. I had never been more grateful for something in my entire life. She fixed me up as best she could and took me to where she was staying. She cleaned me and feed me and she became my friend. At first I was weary and we struck up an agreement and eventually a friendship.”

“What kind of agreement?”

“I would make the complex where she was living work. And she feed me. A simple agreement that was perfect for us.”

“The Complex?”

“Yes it was an underground complex. With food stores and running water, they must have had a separate supply. Everything was dusty but that was all. It was a relatively clean place and it was dry and warm. It wouldn’t have been far from here.”

“Could it be the initiative bunker?”

Giles removed his glasses and nodded at Buffy’s question. “It’s possible.”

“The initiative?”

At Conan's puzzled look Xander shook his head and explained. “Some crazy government experiment. They mixed demons and humans to create super soldiers. They had a bunker under the university campus.”

“You believe it is the same place?”

“It could be.”

“So Tara? What’s her story?”

Shaking his head at Xander’s question Conan breathed deeply. “That I believe that is for her to tell.”

“Do you even know?”

“I know some but not all.”

“Why not?” Conan glared once more at the demanding ex-demon.

“I didn’t want to pry, and she didn’t want to tell. Some memories are to painful to revisit”

“How did you come here?” Conan could almost see the gears of Mr Giles mind turn as he tried to absorb and sort through all the information he had received.

“Tara brought me here.”

“How and why?”

“He found her.”

Conan realised he had said to much as Willow perked up and started at him. She had been quite throughout his tale, and she looked at him with the same sympathy that Tara had given him as he told her about his world. “Who?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t seem to know much.”

“No I guess I don’t, look Tara is my friend, someone is hunting her. I don’t know who but I know he’s bad. He terrifies her, Tara doesn’t get scared I have seen her destroy a demon in seconds but the mere thought of the one who hunts makes her quake with fear.”

“I will ask again Mr Pepper how did you come here?”


Last edited by Reece on Thu May 22, 2008 11:22 am, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated April 10/08)
PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 9:48 am 
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10. Troll Hammer
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ooh, nice. the mystery and history deepens. I really want to know what happened to Tara. I like how the two worlds are converging just in alternate realities. Love that shit. Keep it up!

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated April 10/08)
PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 10:05 am 
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Yay for good update-y goodness... Is it Donny who is tortured by the demons and the evil dude? I hope Conan tells about Grey...

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated May 22/08)
PostPosted: Sun May 25, 2008 5:28 pm 
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Thank you for reading and the feedback.


Zooeys_Bridge - well thanks; I shall tell you all about what happened to Tara very soon. And I shall try to keep up the good work. Thanks for the feedback.


Zampsa1975 - all your questions shall be answered in the next part, except the Grey one that shall have to be told in another update lol


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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated May 22/08)
PostPosted: Sun May 25, 2008 5:29 pm 
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ok... on with the next update.. enjoy!





Part 14



“The Pedestal.”

Stepping forward towards the seated man Buffy unfolded her arms and rested her palms upon the table separating them. “That isn’t a little lump of rock is it?”

Conan adjusted the glasses upon his face and his eyebrows rose. “Well I think it’s more of a crystalline substance…” seeing Buffy’s death glare Conan quickly cleared his throat. “…but I guess you could describe it as that.”

“In the grave yard?”

Buffy’s tone dropped as Conan cleared his throat once again to reply. “Yes in the grave yard.”

“That burnt my face!”

“Your face was burnt? I don’t really remember much.”

“What do you remember?”

Looking at Giles Conan’s posture deflated. “I think it’s better if you talk to Tara about this it is her field. Magic and stuff is her forty, I know nothing about all that but I could whip you up a source code real fast.”

Giles frowned at Conan’s words but Willow smiled in understanding.

“Willow did the doctor say when Tara would be fit for visitors?”

Shaking her head Willow looked to Giles apologetically. “No he just said she need time and rest for her recovery.”

“She heals fast.”

Buffy’s brow knitted as she thought about Conan’s words. “What? Like abnormally fast?”

“Well I wouldn’t call it abnormal, but faster than I heal. Then again who knows how fast or slow people in my dimension heal? For all I know I might just be from a world of slow healers.”

Xander nodded along with Conan’s statement. “You know he has a point, there could be all kinds of minute differences between his universe and ours. That might be one of them. ”

“Splendid. What do you remember Mr Pepper?”

“Pain… the crossing it hurt.”

“It sometimes does, especially if you’re not passing through properly. Did she force an opening? Or perhaps she summoned one?”

Shaking his head Conan frowned at Anya. “I don’t know… I can’t help you with that. I really should be going now I have something I must do.”

“Like what?” Buffy removed her hands from the table and stepped back crossing her arms over her chest.

“Well first a couple of hours sleep. I’m tired hospital chairs are not meant for prolonged periods of sleep. Second if you really want to know I’m going to have a shower and then I’m going to go and see Tara before visiting hours end.”

Nodding Gles looked quickly at Buffy. “That Mr Pepper sounds like a good idea. We will see you at the hospital intensive care unit at 6 o’clock. Buffy will escort you back to your accommodation.”

Holding up his hand Conan shook his head. “Really I can make it on my own; I have been alone for the majority of my adult life.”

“Well Sunnydale isn’t your normal place.”

“I am sure I am quite safe in the daytime. This place is a piece of cake compared to my world.”

Grabbing her jacket Buffy looked over her shoulder to the man following her reluctantly. “Well I’ll take you back to where ever you’re staying just to be on the safe side.”

“Again I doubt I have a choice.”

Smiling happily Buffy laughed. “Nope you sure don’t.”



****


The dungeon was the only place in the palace that was remotely dark. Everywhere else in the palace paid testament to the lightness that his people loved to promote.

Racking coughs and soft cries and pleas for help made Razilian’s heart sing.

The dungeon was full to the brim with the palaces once proud occupants and staff. They ranged from advisers, to witches, from cooks, to chamber maids and from guards to grounds keepers.

All those who chose not to serve the new regime were incarcerated in a place that was up until recently rarely used.

Capital punishment and imprisonment was something that was rare in his world up until the moment the darkness came. Now dieing a horrific death was something that was common place.

As he walked down the dark and dirty corridor that would lead him to his intended appointment Razilian's nose was assaulted by a myriad of rancid smells. The smell of vomit, blood, urine and excrement hung heavily in the air. He doubted the place had been cleaned since the fall.

Looking left Razilian sneered at the cells and their occupants.

Shaking his head with a mystified smile Razilian didn’t understand why the chose this fate.

Defiant till the end. So loyal to their rulers. Little did they know their precious rulers were dead. His lord as seen to that. Why they continued to stay loyal to rotting corpses was a mystery the warlock.

He couldn’t not understand their devotion to their rulers. Still to this moment they refused to be broken. Here in this place were they sat in their own bodily fluids. Here in the place were they were food and play for demons they still held their heads high, and refused to let there sprits be dulled.

The boy as the master called him was not really a boy. He was the worst offender of them all. So strong was in his own conviction. So strong were his own belief and his will.

Soon he would know fear.

Cling while his methods might have reaped results with a lesser human, this human would not cave.

Pain was a mind set.

Razilian knew that while his body might be in that cell broken, beaten, bleeding, and missing an eye. His mind was someplace else. Oh he was sure the man was aware of his body’s state, he just refused to feel it.

Well Razilian knew that was about to change.

As he came to a halt outside of the cell that held the man he had come to see. Razilian glared at the demon that stood at the entrance.

“Open the door demon.” The demon was huge and towered over the small warlock, but Razilian knew size was nothing.

“No.”

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

“Cling say no enter.”

Laughing softly at the demon's words Razilian looked up into the matching dead black eyes of the demon guard. “Cling is currently clinging to the walls of the throne room in liquid form. Do you wish to share his fate?”

“No.”

“Then be a good boy and open the door for me.”

The demon sniffed the air twice and waved a hand in front of the door. Gears turned and the mechanism unlocked. Practised eyes saw the magic that held the room. The demon guard was holding in place a forcefield. He dropped the forcefield minimally and it was pierced.

“Lock you in with him?”

“Would you?” Razilian smiled at the gruff demon that spoke bluntly and brokenly.

A grunt from the demon was his answer and Razilian smiled once more.

“Good. Don’t let anyone enter.”

“No enter.”

“That’s right.” Looking back once at the demon that was guarding the door Razilian nodded as he stepped through the doorway and into the cell.

Straw littered the floor and a black substance Razilian guessed was blood. The same putrid smell that lingered throughout the dungeon hung heavily with the confines of the man’s cell.

As he moved further into the room Razilian felt the demons spell of confinement snap back into place and her heard the door lock. Such demons while fools came in handy for certain things. The spell was impressive and Razilian was sure it would take him at least a few minutes to break. He was almost tempted to break it; it had been awhile since he had encountered a challenge.

But no he had a job to do and three days to complete it.

The man was slumped against the back wall of the cell. His once gloriously luxurious clothes were now smeared with blood, ripped and soiled with other things. His arms which were once strong were held at an odd angle by the black chain. Barbs ran around the chain and had cut into the soft flesh of the wrists of the man.

His hair was longer that Razilian recalled and his once finely and perfectly clipped beard was wild and hung raggedly around his face. Dry encrusted blood covered half of his face where his right eye once sat. Its blue light forever dimmed. His legs were broken and twisted. Cling obviously hadn't seen fit to have them fixed in anyway.

Clearing this throat Razilian watched as the harsh sound alerted the man to his presence.

“Oh how nice it is to see you again Lord McClay.”

“De…”

Donald’s voice was rough. Razilian gathered from Clings tale he hadn’t spoken a word since he had been captured.

“Oh no not the demon Donald.”

“Razz… no it can’t be!” disbelief? That Razilian supposed it was to be expected.

“Bravo... a round of applause please for the cleaver Lord.”

The ragged man shook his head and Razilian sneered. “You betrayed us… helped killed millions.”

“Details, details. Death would have come for them eventually.”

“Traitor…how could you? My mother is dead because of you. Your mother…the hurt and shame she must feel.”

“My mother? If I knew where she was id rip her still beating heart out of her chest.”

Razilian watched in an amusement as horror flooded Donny’s face at his words. “What happened to you Razilian?”

“Is that a tear in your eye Donald? I can’t say I approve of the Clings methods. I would rather you had both of your eyes, there is nothing quite as exhilarating as seeing yourself reflected in mirrored pools that hold absolute fear.”

“You were my friend.”

Laughing softly Razilian looked at the man who was once the boy who had been his friend. They had played together and talked of the things they held dear, and what they expected the future to hold.

Were Donald’s future had always been set stone, bound by countless millennia of duty and honour his future had been more flexible. If only he had know when he was a boy what he would become. Was it possible he would have changed things? It was possible, but highly doubtful.

“I was never your friend. Tell me Donald…where is Lady McClay…where is Tara?”

What little colour resided within the face of Donald McClay was quickly lost as the words that Razilian spoke reached his ears. “You’re insane. I’ll tell you nothing.”

“On the contrary you are going to tell me everything. Your little mind displacement spell wont work this time Donald. I’m far to versed in magicks for you to fool.”

“Do what you will traitor, I’ll tell you nothing.”

Gently pressing his hand to Donald’s forehead Razilian coked his head to the side.

“We will see. Now were where we?” a cruel a sadist smile twisted the small face of the Warlock and a promise of pain was held in his black eyes. “…Oh yes where is Tara Donald?”

Muttering several words in under his breath Razilian watched as Donald's brow creased in denial. His head suddenly began to frantically move. Desperation and determination overtook as he tried to shake off the presence of Razilian’s hand.

Suddenly his former childhood friend’s face was twisted. Agony was written across Donald’s still fine features as the spell Razilian had cast took effect.



****



The darkness faded as soft blonde eyelashes fluttered open to reveal sleep filled blue. The moment they made contact with the harsh strip lighting above they slammed shut.

Shifting slightly Tara felt a dull ache coming from her chest. Pain was something she was familiar with, injures had become common place in her life. To Tara it seemed that all she did lately was get injured. The day she didn’t have a bruise or a broken bone would be a day to celebrate.

Feeling brave Tara opened her eyes once more this time persisting against the lights assault against her retinas.

“Hey”

“Conan?” no not Conan the voice was female, gentle and comforting. How long was it since she had been spoken to by such a voice? Tara couldn’t recall. Tilting her head to the side she watched as a girl came into focus. Short red hair framed the girls face and familiarity was sparked within Tara.


“He’s just getting a drink. I don’t know whether you will remember me but I’m Willow, we kind of bumped into each other in the magic box. Then why would you remember that because you have been attacked by demons and in hospital for three days and...” The redhead became animated as she spoke and her eyes locked on to Tara’s own and she threw her arm back and gestured to somewhere behind her.


“I remember you.” And she did remember the beautiful redhead from the magical supply shop. Willow, how could she forget the beautiful owner of such a beautiful name?

“You do?”

A small smile lifted Willow’s lips and Tara nodded gingerly and tried to return the smile. “Y.yes I have an m.memory like an elephant.”

Tara cringed slightly at her own reply. Why she mentioned elephants she didn’t know but Willow seemed to appreciate it.

Willow’s smile grew and Tara watched her move forward towards her. “An African elephant or Indian elephant?”

“Ermm there are different types of elephant?” Confusion flooded Tara. Different types of elephants? Shaking her head gently Tara sighed. How could she be so stupid was the only thought running threw her mind. Small discrepancies between realities were to be expected. She just couldn’t believe she had gone and inserted her foot squarely into her mouth.

A small frown knitted Willow’s brow, her nose creased slightly and Tara felt her heart flutter as green eyes met her won blue with a smile and a look of comprehension. “Oh right different realities, small differences. I guess you don’t call elephants Africa of Indiana.”

“Bassan.”

“Huh?”

“Bassan Elephants, just one kind. They come from south deep in the heart of the jungles of Bassan. How…?” Tara’s own smile quickly faded and a felling of dread settled into her heart.

“Do we know you’re from a different reality?”

“Yes.” Choking out her response Tara scanned the room.

Willow suddenly looked nervous about telling her more but Tara had to know. “We should wait for everyone to get back.”

Desperation set in she had to know how the woman before her knew where she had come from. She needed to know what she knew and how much

“Everyone? T.tell me”

“I...” Willow looked hesitant but Tara had to know how she knew. Her life was in danger, which by proxy meant that anyone associated with her was in the same danger.

“Willow …p.please …tell me…”


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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated May 22/08)
PostPosted: Sun May 25, 2008 5:42 pm 
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3. Flaming O
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Hi Reece
DIBS!!! Heheheheee.. Dibs is mine!

I love this story, Tara's past is indeed very mysterious and I am looking very much forward to learn more! Poor Donald though, I wonder who or what this Razillian is? Very angsty and very good, I'll be following this one!

Fly forever free,
Nenyath

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated May 22/08)
PostPosted: Mon May 26, 2008 12:48 am 
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Yay for good update-y goodness... I hope Donald doesn't know about the reality where Tara, Conan, Grey and the Scoobies live... I hope Tara gives Razilian a very messy end...

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated May 22/08)
PostPosted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:13 am 
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Fabulous updates .. I really like where this story is heading. You're revealing more and more about the characters which is great! :D Keep up the fantastic work!

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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated May 22/08)
PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:04 am 
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Nenyath - Hey Nenyath, yes you got dibs congrats. I am so pleased that you like my story and are looking forward to more. I hope you continue to read and enjoy the next part.
Thanks for the feedback

Zampsa1975 – Hello there, I am so pleased that you enjoyed that part, thanks for the feedback. Sorry for so how late mine is.

LittleBit – hey I am glad that you have caught up with the last updates and liked what you read. I hope I can keep your interest the further I get along with this. Thanks again

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read this story so far.

Reece


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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated June 26/08)
PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:05 am 
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Part 15


Willow finally relented at the pleading look that entered Tara’s eyes, and told her who had told them. “Conan told us something’s…”

Fear flooded Tara’s heart which was accompanied by a sharp stab of betrayal. What had Conan told these people? Why had he told these people? She knew that he knew better than to talk about her. “Us? W.w.what did he t.t.tell you?”

Seeing the flash of fear in Tara's eyes Willow hastened to reassure the blonde. “Nothing bad if that’s what’s worrying you. We found out some things Conan didn’t want to talk.”

With a shake of her head Tara tried to push herself into a seated position...

“He’s a good friend he was only trying to help, try not to be too mad at him.”

“Where is he I need to talk to him?”

“He’s with Buffy and Giles. Don’t try to sit you could injure yourself further.” Willow gently placed her hands upon Tara's shoulders and eased her back down to the bed.

“W.who are B.Buffy and Giles?” Not recognising the names Tara tried to rise from the hospital bed once more. The latter name sounded vaguely familiar.

“Buffy’s is one of my best friends, Giles you have already met, when you meet me. He runs the Magic Box, he’s my… umm I guess he’s my friend to.”

“I can’t stay here.” It’s not safe!! The last part of Tara’s sentence went unspoken as Willow once again tried to stop her from moving.

“Please don’t get up, you could injure yourself!” The concern in Willow’s voice halted Tara. She didn’t know why the redhead cared but the pain in chest and shoulder convinced her that Willow was right. Moving would only make her feel worse and halt her recovery.

“Now stay put, no moving from that bed, and that’s an order lady.”

“Yes Ma'am”

Willow smiled as Tara mock saluted and seemed too relaxed slightly.

“Ahh Miss McClay you’re awake.” Both Willow and Tara gazed towards the door. Giles smiled slightly towards the two as he moved into the room.

“I...”

“You don’t remember me?” Giles asked as he placed his styrofoam cup full of a rather weak tasting tea on the dresser next to Tara’s bed. He took a seat and looked hopefully into her eyes.

“Yes.” She did remember him, vaguely.

Giles smiled at Tara’s reply “good good... You have been through quite the ordeal. I’m Rupert Giles we met when you bumped into Willow in my shop and if you recall I mistook you for someone else.”

“Willow mentioned that you own the Magic Box Mr Giles. I remember you thought I was there for a job.”

Giles nodded “Well that is right, I do. We would like to talk to you about a few things.”

Looking behind Giles Tara saw the form of her best friend standing next to a small blonde woman she guessed was Willows friend called Buffy. “Conan!”

At her exclamation the young man instantly surged forward and gently wrapped his arms around his friend. “Tara are you ok?”

“I’m ok apart from a little pain. What did you tell them?” Tara clenched her jaw as the hug slightly jarred her wound.

Conan pulled back and his face showed his regret and remorse at Tara’s gently whispered question. “I had to." shooting Giles a look Conan shoulders sagged as he removed his arms from around his friend. “I’m sorry; I didn’t know what to do. I’m way out of my depth with all this magic stuff. They figured some of it out themselves. I just told them about my world. Forgive me?”

“Its ok Conan, t.there is nothing to forgive.”

“Perhaps you should tell us more Miss McClay?”

“It isn’t safe for me to tell you anything.”

“Miss McClay I assure you we are well equipped to handle any situation. Buffy here is the Vampire Slayer.” Giles gestured to the blonde with his hand.

“A Slayer?”

“Giles!! What happened to it should be a secret.” Nodding at Tara Buffy tried to wipe the frown of her face. “Yeah I’m a vampire slayer… one girl chosen to fight the vampires …blah blah blah.”

“Well in light…”

Tara interrupted Giles. “I k.k.know what a Slayer is.”

“You do?” Buffy placed her hand on her hips and smiled a touch.

“Yes.”

“Am I the first slayer you’ve met?”

“N.no.”

“Am I the first Buffy you’ve met?”

“Buffy!!” Willow glared at her friend a smiled in apology to Tara. “Ignore Buffy she can be rude sometimes.”

Buffy grunted in reply to Willow’s reprimand and leaned back against the wall by the door. Giles removed his glasses and wiped them clean. As he placed them back on his face Giles frowned a touch.

“The demons that attacked you.”

“I have to get out of here, they c.could find me.” Panic infected Tara’s eyes and Giles held up his hand.

“I don’t think that’s wise. Besides it is highly unlikely that they will find you,” at Tara’s inquiring look Giles cleared his throat and continued. “Buffy killed them you see.”

“She…” Tara looked Buffy in the eye and nodded her head in thanks. “…Thank you.”

“Just doin’ my job and your welcome.”

“I think Miss McClay you should tell us why the demons attacked you?”

“I…he wants me.” Tara winced at the shrill quality to her own voice as she blurted out her statement.

“Who wants you?” Several faces looked at her with puzzlement and Tara dropped her gaze.

“I don’t know… I just know he will stop at nothing to get me. He has already killed so many. Please Mr Giles call me Tara”

Giles sighed as a feeling of dread settled in his stomach. He had a feeling he wasn’t going to enjoy what Tara had to tell them. “Ok Tara please start from the beginning…?”


****


Razilian grunted as he found himself standing on a lawn. Gravel paths ran parallel to his position and flora was everywhere. The plant life formed patterns and designs and it didn’t take Razilian more that half a second to realise where he was.

The palace gardens.

He knew he wasn’t really standing in the gardens of the palace, but he was still impressed with Donald’s recollection of the forests and ornamental gardens that surrounded his former home.

He had never quite liked travelling around peoples minds, they tended to be chaotic and disorganised. The owners of the minds would do anything and everything to deceive him. However he had proved early on to be exceptionally good at getting what he wanted out of them.

Donald he knew would be no exception, the blonde man would fight him every step of the way. He would battle this, what he would see the ultimate violation.

Razilian was under no illusions that Donald would be reliant. Donald McClay was going to be a tough nut to crack; he knew that this little soiree in to Donald’s mind was going to be a rough ride. In all likelihood it would take more than one trip to strip Donald of his barriers. Success would depend on his strength and Donald weaknesses. If all else failed he would just have smash his way to the truth.

Donald’s devotion to his sister would have been admirable in differing circumstances, but as it was Razilian only found it an annoyance.

Razilian knew it was probably the only thing that kept his former friend him alive and ironically it would probably be his and her downfall.

He had the control and he knew it was time to imprint this on his former friend.

Laughter assaulted Razilian’s ears and snapped the warlock out of his internal thoughts. He turned his attention towards the source of the horrendous sound.

Four children.

Four small weak and insignificant children.

One of which would cause his Lord so much trouble.

“You can’t hide in a memory of the past Donald.”

All four squealed once more with laughter and ran as they played happily. They where basking in the sun and each other. All four appeared carefree and so unaware of anything other than themselves.

Smiling cruelly Razilian recalled this particular memory.

They where hunting deer. A childish game they all had liked to played.

Donald as always was the lead head of the hunt like his father, and Nuine was always second in command like her father to Donald’s. Her dark curls bounced as she threw her head back and called out to the two behind to hurry up. Both Donald and Nuine brandished their favoured wooden swords and shields.

Razilian snorted as a younger and infinitely happier version of himself laughed and called back in answer to Nuine. His younger self caught up to the ‘armed’ two as a very small and happy Tara stumbled after them.

She had worshiped the all, and followed them everywhere when she was younger. Her devotion was returned tenfold by them all. It didn’t matter how much he told Donald he shouldn’t let her come, Donald never listened. The warlock remembered with annoyance how even he had always welcomed Tara to play with them.

He continued to watch with growing annoyance as Tara tripped scuffing her knees and then burst into tears.

The young Donald quickly stopped turning to see the source of the wails, both he and Nuine immediately dropped their wooden swords and shields as both ran to aid her. They both always fussed over her. It was part of life you fell and you got back up.

Having had enough of this Razilian’s face contorted with rage. “Donald Donald Donald, you disappoint me. When I asked you where Tara was, I meant NOW!” Clenching his fists the man suddenly smiled. “But I know you where your sister is Donald despite your lies. So I shall endure your little trip down memory lane. For now”

Razilian's smirk increased as he watched Donald perform his dutiful brother routine.

“Time to mix things up Donald.” Closing his eyes Razilian concentrated and twisted the memory. “You wanted a hunt that day, a hunt I shall give you. The only difference is you shall be the hunted.” Chuckling at his own words Razilian watched as he pressed his will upon Donald’s mind. His own imagination started to take shape. A huge black blob started to gather behind the trio of children as they crouched and crowded around the fallen little girl.

The black mass shifted and solidified into a grotesque shape. Red eyes glowed from an inky black face, as four arms and two legs flexed showing bulging and unnaturally large muscles. As quickly as the phantom has appeared it surged forward ploughing into the child closest to the delight of the watching warlock.

“You shall tell me what I want to know Donald, one way or another.”

The small body of the Nuine flew into the air much to the delight of Razilian as the phantom he had created ripped, twisted and tore the happy memory apart.



****


Tara sighed. “W.w.which beginning? I have so many…I have b.been to so many worlds…”

“Start with your world.” Giles looked on with encouragement.

Nodding Tara ran a hand over her face. She gently brushed her hair from her eyes as she mentally prepared herself for her tale. “F.for thousands of years my people have… I suppose you could say we have been at war.” Tara paused momentarily. With a small frown and a minute shake of her head Tara continued. “It isn’t a war in the general since of the word, but a w.war it is. I had just celebrated my eighteenth birthday when the war struck up again. There was an attack. It happens every time each year around the same time in my world. This time it was different. It was early...”

Tara's mouth twisted and her eyes hardened as her mind drifted back. “My world is different from the rest. The barriers that keep all w.worlds separated are… less secure... less static. They sometimes slip; they fade for small amounts of time. P.pockets are created that allow the trained to see into those worlds, a few gifted individuals can even pass between. There is one dimension connected to mine were the barriers are wafer thin. Over time the lines between my world and theirs have become blurred.”

“Their world?”

Tara stared into Willows eyes. “D.demons. A demon world, a hell dimension to be exact. It’s called G.Goltheryin.”

Willow frowned as Giles pulled out a note book and started to jot things down.

“Has it always been this way?”

“N.n.no Mr Giles it hasn’t, our world was once like so many others. Free in its own right, like some worlds we had only portals or bridges to other worlds.”

“Hellmouths?”

Tara replied quickly “Yes, that is one word for them; some lead to hell, Heaven, forms of oblivion or an abyss, others simply lead to different worlds. No one knows what exactly happened to make our world so different. There are theories, tales of folklore. Some think it was a natural disaster, that people either chosen to forget or maybe no one survived to remember. Others tell a tale of a darkness that rose from our own world and infected all.”

“What darkness?”

“In the age before it is said that the darkness rose in rebellion of Manif, whether it was man, woman or beast is not known. All that is told is that it swept the lands and relentlessly ravaged the dimensions bending all to its will. It is said that that darkness reigned for an eternity before it was stopped by a gathering of light. It is said that is the time that the first Prime came and ended the reign of darkness. They fought for supremacy at the peak of mount Havoc. It is believed that the Prime defeated and trapped the darkness in a world of his own making. It is said that the Prime defeated the darkness though unity and that unity brought light and clarity to all worlds once more.”

Tara had decided to give an abridged version; it would take her days to tell the whole lore. Her grandmother had been a master of telling the tale; she weaved the facts and traditions together seamlessly entreating both her and Donald with the song of the age before. It was an epic that she just did not have time to tell. Tara knew she had left huge chunks of information out but they didn’t need to know everything. It was widely believed that the Song of the Age Before was a simple tale of how a war between two lands had decided the ruler of her world.

“Do you believe that?” It was a good question and Tara had no answer for Buffy. Did she believe that story she had begged her grandmother to tell her a thousand times before slumber claimed her? She knew that demons existed and she knew magic existed. It had always been part of her life and would be till the day she passed. Yes she did believe, she had always known there must be some truth in the tale.

“Yes I guess I do. They always came in waves from north. The walls are thought to be at there weakest in the mountain region. The demons always fully exploit this. That last time was thought to be no different. We always managed to repel the attack. There was so many this time the soldiers didn’t stand a chance. The sides of the mountains seemed too moved. It was like it was alive and breathing as fire and beasts poured down the sides. The soldiers massed and tried to stop them. It was pointless.”

Shaking her head Tara stared sightlessly a head. “We were numbered. We were to few and they to many. They destroyed everything in their path. So much senseless murder. Those they didn’t kill they enslaved. Everybody tried to fight, women, even children. They destroyed everything in their path. Eventually though they made it to… to my home. My mother…sh... she tried to stop them. I could only watch as it… consumed her.”

“It?”

Giles frowned and Tara answered his question. “A shadow.”

“Is it possible that it could have been this darkness you spoke of?”

“I don’t know what it was. It just engulfed her and… she died trying to protect us.” Tara halted her speech and looked down at her hands. Her knuckled were white as she clenched her fists, in anger. Her anger was directed towards herself and the thing that had killed her mother. She had known the instance her mothers life-force had been extinguished. The pain was immense, she thought of her mother constantly. She berated herself for not acting and thought of what she could have done differently.

Her dream came to mind and she knew there was nothing she could have done. Donald wouldn’t have let her. “We ran. It would have killed us to if we had tried to fight. If my mother couldn’t stop it then no one else had any hope. Donald saved me. He pulled me away.”

“Donald?”

A small heartbreaking half smile turned the side of Tara’s lips. “My brother.” Willow could see Tara was on the verge of tears and she didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t imagine how hard this was to tell. Conan had struggled to tell his story. Willow was glad that the two had found each other, two tormented souls who had seen so much death and experienced so much pain.

Willow didn’t understand why but she felt drawn to Tara, she wanted nothing more than to reach inside and take her pain away. Instead she reached out and grasped Tara’s hand. Silently she tried to convey her sympathy and offer her new friend her strength.

“I tired to go to mother, but he wouldn’t let me. He always looked out for me, ever since I was a child. He forced me to run. Thousands died while we ran away.”

“You went to a different dimension.”

Tara nodded her affirmation to Buffy and tried to remove the despair that had crept into her voice. “Yes I didn’t want to leave. He made me, he knew I would stubbornly stay and he had promised mother that he would protect me, and he always keeps his promises.”

“So you are not from Conan’s dimension?”

“No I am from a completely different dimension.”

“How did you get to that dimension?”

Tara sighed as she wetted her lips. “When we ran, I had no idea where we where headed. Donald however had everything all mapped out, or I should say my mother had everything mapped out. She had it all set up before hand; an escape plan should anything ever happen to her... Should we ever be attacked Donald if able would take us away, I presume she had others who would have protected us when we were younger. As we travelled it became clear where we where headed and a sense of dread set in. It took two days to get the ruins; it should have been a seven hour journey.”

“The ruins?”

“The ruins of the temple of Manif of the boarders of the palace grounds. It a source of great power.”

“You mention Manif before who is he?”

Tara took a breath before she tried to explain to Giles and the others about Manif.

“Manif is one of the old gods, maybe even the oldest. He was worshiped by my people a long time ago. Some still worship him and will always worship him. He is said to control all dimensions. He keeps the walls of place. It is he who keeps order in the chaos. He keeps everything separate and in its own place. We somehow managed to evade our hunters with some help, the Captain of the guard Lady Nuine helped us escape along with a small band of guards.”

“The demons found us just as we reached the edge of the temple ruins. Nuine and the guards formed a wall to block the demons.” That was the last time Tara had seen her childhood friend, her black hair swirling around her head, her rapier carving intricate patterns in the air as she and her men screamed and charged into the hordes of demons in hope of slowing them down so she could escape.

“Why do you think they where chasing you?”

“I told you before, I don’t know.” With a gentle shake of her head Tara looked up at the shape that suddenly stood in the doorway. A plump woman cleared her throat and tapped the time piece she had strapped to her wrist.

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you all to leave. It’s just a little over the regulated hours for visiting, but rules are rules.” The woman creased face smoothed as she smiled gently at all present.

As they all stood to say there good byes the next words out of Tara’s mouth made Willow pause.

“Conan, where is Grey?”

Who the hell is Grey? As she frowned Willow looked towards Buffy who shrugged as if she had heard her thoughts.


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 Post subject: Re: FF:The Hunted (Updated June 26/08)
PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:25 am 
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19. Yummy Face
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Location: Kaskinen, Finland, citizen of Kitopia
Yay for great update-y goodness... Good that Tara tells Scoobies her story so they could defeat the Big Bad that is hunting Tara... I hope Willow isn't freaked by Grey when Tara tell's her about it...

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