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***** Willow and Tara were still together when Buffy and Dawn got home from the Magic Box. The blonde was sitting on the couch watching TV, while one hand absently stroked Willow's hair. The redhead had fallen back asleep, with her head in Tara's lap. The Slayer and her sister stopped in their tracks when they caught sight of the couple. It had been quite a long while since they had seen their friends together, that way, and it came as something of a shock. But at least this was one of the more pleasant surprises one could receive in Sunnydale. Dawn's startled gasp woke Willow. The redhead groaned and sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Oh, hey guys." "Wait, did we pass through a time-warp or something?" Dawn asked. "What's up? Did you guys go and get back together while we were gone?" Tara put an arm around Willow, and both of them smiled. "Looks that way, Dawnie." Dawn turned and playfully slapped Buffy's arm. "I told you we took the long way. See what we missed?" "Sorry." The Slayer crossed her arms. "When did this happen?" "Just a couple of hours ago," said Willow. "We've been talking, and we both made some mistakens. We're just trying to put it all behind us and start over again." Dawn was beaming with happiness. "So it's just like old times!" Tara shook her head. "It'll never be like it was, Dawnie. That time is past, and we're different people. But we're going to do our best to make a whole new life...for us." "I'm happy for you both," said Buffy. She turned to her sister. "But you..." "What?" "You still have homework to do, young lady. You go finish it, and I'll take care of dinner." Dawn was in too good of a mood to argue and sighed. "Fine." She hugged both Willow and Tara, then stomped up to her room. A moment later, they heard her door slam. "I'm going to order a pizza," said Buffy. "Tara, are you staying for dinner?" The blonde glanced at Willow, who was nodding very enthusiastically. "I'd love to." ***** Willow and Tara stayed up talking, laughing and just enjoying each other's company, long after Dawn and even Buffy had gone up to bed. Even though they had been together at Buffy's birthday party they hadn't talked much, and they had a lot of catching up to do. But eventually Tara glanced at a clock and announced she had to go back to her place, because she had a class early that morning. "You could...umm, stay here," Willow offered. "If you, you know...want to." Tara kissed her. "Honey, I'd love to. Really. But besides the fact I don't think I'd actually get any sleep, it's just a little too soon for that, don't you think?" She kissed Willow again. "I tell you what though. Why don't we meet at the Bronze tonight, and celebrate? Just the two of us." "Okay." Willow opened the front door for Tara. "Do you want me to walk you home?" Tara shook her head. "I appreciate it, but I know the way." She kissed Willow one more time. "Don't worry. It's just a few blocks. I'll be fine. See you tonight, okay?" "See you tonight," said Willow. "I love you." Tara waved over her shoulder. "I love you too." She made it home with no problem. In fact since around the time of Buffy's birthday it had been remarkably quiet in Sunnydale. Even the vampires seemed to be on something of a holiday. Buffy had slain only one in the last two days, and he had not put up too much of a fight for the otherwise bored Slayer. Of course experience told Buffy and the Scoobies to be wary. This sort of lull generally meant something big and bad was on the horizon. But, for the most part, they weren't too worried. Whether it was giant snakes, rogue Slayers, the everpresent Hellmouth or homesick hellgods, as Buffy herself had sung, there wasn't anything they couldn't face as long as they were together. Tara felt that way about Willow. Which was a big part of why she had been so hurt. Hopefully, all the pain was behind them now. As she unlocked her door she stopped, her mind coming completely into focus as she sensed that something wasn't quite right. But the warning came a little too late. A hand reached through the otherwise solid door, and caught the front of Tara's shirt. Before she had a chance to say or do anything she was yanked through the door as well. ***** Tara wasn't sure how or when it happened, but realized that she must have lost consciousness at some point. It was strange, waking up on her own couch with her hands and feet tied and a rag stuck in her mouth. She couldn't magick herself loose either, because she couldn't speak or move her hands. The blonde was startled to see someone standing over her; a man she didn't recognize, with stringy brown hair and wild eyes. He cocked his head and smiled as he saw her watching him. "Welcome back." "See? I told you you could get her. I told you!" The woman's voice came from somewhere behind the man, but it, at least, was one Tara thought she had heard before. She raised her head, and saw Amy Madison sitting on her kitchen counter. "I told you, Rack! I told you!" Tara blinked. Rack? "Yes, yes. Nicely done." Rack snapped his fingers--throwing off a little ball of energy which darted across the room and struck Amy in the chest. Her body glowed briefly as she fell off the counter and landed in a crumpled heap on the tile floor, moaning softly. "Enjoy." Now Tara was worried. Amy she might have been able to handle, but if this was the same Rack Willow warned her about he was a very dangerous individual. His powers were very seductive. Willow had been lucky when she managed to escape his influence. Amy, apparently, hadn't. "Don't look so scared, blondie." Rack glanced over his shoulder, and a chair slid across the room so she could sit down. "I just wanna talk, that's all." He clapsed his hands in his lap. "I haven't seen strawberry in a while, and I have been led to underestand I have you to thank for that." He clucked his tongue. "You know it's really not nice to interefere in other people's business young lady." Tara jerked her head from side to side, trying to say something. After a moment Rack touched the gag, which just seemed to dissolve. "W-What are you doing here? W-What do you w-want we me?" "Mmm...well now, that's an interesting story. See, strawberry's been using you like a crutch. As long as you're there to support her, she thinks she doesn't need me." Rack smiled. "I could just kill you. It would be the easiest solution, obviously. Then sugar over there..." He nodded toward Amy, who trembled, her eyelids fluttering as if she was having a particularly wild dream. "...gave me a better idea. Instead of just getting you out of my way, I'm instead going to use your influence over strawberry to my advantage." He rubbed his hands together, the energy crackling and surging between them getting brighter ever second. Tara remembered what Willow had told her about Rack. How his power flowed through her, making time feel as if it was standing still, and taking her to places she had never imagined. She was both overwhelmed with awe, and terrified at the same time. The blonde shook her head. "No! Stay aw-way from me!" "Or what? Hmm? What could you possibly do to me?" Rack licked his lips. "I'm really looking forward to this. I can't wait to see what you taste like, blondie." He moved his hand toward her chest. Tara gritted her teeth. "Procul!" It took all of her concentration, but an invisible force slammed into Rack and sent him flying backwards. He crashed into a bookshelf on the far wall and slid to the ground, stunned. She then turned her attention to her bonds. "Solvere!" The ropes magickally untied themselves and dropped away, and she tossed the gag aside as she rushed toward the door. "Hey!" Although her movements were clumsy and her eyes glazed, Amy followed. She grabbed Tara's arm and spun her around. "Where the hell do you think you're going?" "Away from you, you crazy bitch!" On the last word Tara clenched her fist and threw a punch, albeit not a very good one. It connected with with right side of Amy's chin, and turned her completely around. She landed flat on her face, and did not move again. "Ouch." She started toward the door again. Rack rose behind her, his eyes crackling with energy. "Nobody does that to me!" He released a bolt of energy from his hand that caught Tara square in the back. She cried out as a flush of similar energy flowed through her, and then she collapsed in a shuddering heap. "I underestimated you, little witch." He approached her. "Obviously you have more power that I though." He smirked. "This should be fun." ***** Willow woke suddenly, her head spinning, with a strange tightness in her chest. She sat up, her breath coming in ragged gasps, and looked around the room. "Tara?" She wasn't sure why, but she had a feeling Tara was in trouble. It was almost as if her girlfriend--Goddess, she loved being able to say that again--was calling out to her. The redhead briefly considered trying to call first, but then changed her mind and stumbled into the closet to get dressed. As she was coming down the stairs she found Buffy coming up with a glass of water in her hands. The Slayer's eyes widened as she saw the look on her friend's face. "Will? What's wrong?" "I think Tara's in trouble, Buffy. I have to go to her. I have to help her!" The Slayer nodded. "I'll come with you." "No, you should stay here with Dawn. I may just be imagining things, but I don't want to take the chance. Don't worry, I'll call you if I need help." Willow was gone before Buffy could protest further. The redhead made good time, and was passing by the Bronze when she ran into, literally, a familiar face. "Bloody hell, Red. Watch where you're going." Willow shook her head. "Not now Spike." She tried to go around him, but he stepped in her way. "Spike! Don't do this! I'm not in the mood. Tara's in trouble..." The vampire's eyes narrowed. "That so?" He glanced around. "Where are your blasted Scoobies then? Isn't this what you lot live for? The heroic stuff?" "It's too late. I don't want to bother them, in case I'm wrong." Spike spit out his cigarette. "Tell you what, Red. Why don't I come along?" "What?" The vampire shrugged his shoulders. "I owe blondie. We had a chat, and she's very...persuasive." "Fine." Willow sighed. "Let's go." ***** ***** Tara tossed her head back and screamed, the sound muffled by a big piece of tape. She had been tied to a chair, with her hands behind her back, and her body was crackling with energy as Rack's hand pressed against her chest. It made her eyes roll back in her head. Rack frowned. "You're only hurting yourself, you know. The more you resist, the more damage it does. If you would just accept the power, everything would be fine." "Why are you fighting so hard?" Amy asked. "It's wonderful. You'll like it. Trust me." Tara shook her head. She knew she wouldn't be able to fight much longer. Her strength was fading, and once it did she would not be able to resist his influence any longer. At that moment, someone knocked on the door. Rack and Amy both turned. "Tara? It's Willow." The blonde's eyes widened. 'Goddess,' she said to herself. 'No! Willow, get out of here!' "Tara? Honey? Are you all right?" Rack licked his lips. "Well, well, now isn't this a pleasant surprise." His body rippled, and then seemed to fade away. "Keep her busy, sugar." Amy started toward the front door. "Something's wrong," they heard Willow say. "I know it!" "Okay. Stand back," said a man's voice. The door was suddenly knocked off its hinges, and nearly struck Amy as it fell into the room. "Knock knock," Spike growled. Willow moved past him, into the room. "Amy?" Then she saw Tara, her eyes wide, shaking her head. "Goddess no, Tara!" She started toward Tara, but Amy got in her way. "Get out of my way!" "Make me," said the brunette. She smirked. "Who are you trying to kid, Willow? Without the magick, we both know you're nothing. I'm stronger than you now!" Willow grabbed the front of Amy's shirt. "You think I'm kidding?" "I don't think it's going to matter," said the brunette, a smile growing on her face. Rack shimmered into view behind Willow, who was too busy trying to intimidate Amy to notice. Spike, however, did. "Watch out, Red!" He surged forward, but was repelled by an invisible barrier. He had not been invited in. "Bloody hell!" As Willow was turning, Rack clamped his hand around her throat. "I've got to say, strawberry, I'm surprised. A vampire? You've lowered yourself to associating with leeches?" "Hey!" Spike slapped his hands against the barrier. "Why don't you come out here and say that?!" Rack ignored him. "You came back, strawberry." He smiled. "I always knew you would. You need it. You need me." His hand began to glow. "And I'm happy to oblige." Willow's eyes brimmed with tears as she struggled futilely. She didn't want this. She didn't want to feel that way again. But without her magick, the very thing she was trying to avoid in the first place, there did not seem to be anyway out of this situation. "T-Tara..." The blonded jerked her head from side to side. That, combined with the prodding of her tongue, permitted her to finally loosen the tape over her mouth. It didn't come off completely, hardly at all in fact, but it was enough to make her voice heard. "Spike, come in! Help her!" The vampire's face contorted, turning demonic as he stepped into the room. He sneered. Rack shoved Willow down and moved to face Spike. "I don't have time for you, leech! This isn't your fight. So leave, now, or else..." "That's it!" Spike snarled and charged Rack, tackling the big man. He didn't land a blow or cause any real harm, so there was no pain as the two of them tumbled over the back of Tara's couch. But then he made the mistake of punching Rack in the face, the chip went off, and he clutched at his head, howling in pain. A pulse of light from Rack's hand sent the vampire flying across the room. He crashed down on a piece of the broken bookshelf, which went right through his body. Fortunately for him, since it was made of wood, the thing was nowhere near his heart. He hung limply, trying to fight through the pain. Rack stood up and brushed himself off. "As protectors go strawberry, he's no Slayer!" His smiled dwindled as he looked around for Willow, but she was nowhere in sight. Neither, he realized, was Tara. The chair was empty and the ropes she had been tied with were laying on the floor. "No!" Willow had apparently used the distraction of his fight with Spike to free Tara. Then out of the corner of his eye Rack saw a flash of red hair, and turned to see someone ducking behind the kitchen counter. "Come out strawberry! I see you!" He frowned when she didn't respond. "Come now, you're just making things more difficult for yourself! We both know I'm going to get you, sooner or later!" Something struck Rack in the back. It didn't really hurt, but it did make him curious. He glanced down to see a large crystal sitting by his foot. He bent over and picked it up. "What's this?" "Doll's-eye crystal," said Tara. She was standing right behind him, with her arms crossed. "You do know about doll's-eye crystals, don't you?" Rack nodded. "They're mystical storage batteries. One this size could..." His eyes widened. "Uh oh." "Lacerti...Furtum...Crystallus!" Rack dropped the doll's-eye, but it was too little too late. His body jerked as energy burst out of his chest and was swallowed up by the crystal. As he staggered back, it glowed. "He's powerless now," said Tara. "It's over." Rack stared at his hands for a moment, then stomped toward the blonde. "You bitch!" Willow stepped in front of Tara, her hands behind her back. "Watch your mouth!" She brought out and swung a heavy bookend which cracked against the side of Rack's head. He spun completely around and landed flat on his face, obviously unconscious. "That's my girlfriend you're talking about!" "Bloody hell!" Spike bellowed as he was forced to tear the wood out of his body with his bare hands. "Remind me not to help you two anymore. It hurts too bloody much!" Tara embraced Willow. "Goddess. How did you know I was in trouble?" "Call it woman's intuition," the redhead replied. "Or magic. The non-casting kind, I mean." Spike took off his leather jacket, and glared at the hole coming out the back, the price of being impaled. "You know who I had to kill for this? Somebody owes me big..." He spun around, and caught Amy as she was trying to crawl out the door. "...and it might as well be you!" "No Spike, just let her go," said Tara. He reluctantly did. "Amy, take Rack. Tell him to get out of town, and if I ever see either one of you near me or Willow again, it'll be the last time. Understand?" The brunette nodded. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say. Only, I can't. He's too, you know, heavy." "I'll help." Spike put his jacket back on, and grabbed Rack by the collar. "Bloke like this must have some cash I can nab." He started to drag the magick-pusher toward the door. Willow cleared her throat. "Spike, thank you. For your help. I owe you." "Hey, that's right," said the vampire. "You do. And I aim to collect. One of these days." He winked at Tara, who shook her head, then he and Amy were gone. Tara slumped against Willow. "That was too close." "What are we going to do with that thing?" the redhead asked, nodding toward the doll's-eye. "We'll have to hide it somewhere. Maybe at the Magic Box." Tara sighed. "But sooner or later, you know Rack will come back looking for it." Willow nodded. "So what? We've got all his power. And besides..." She turned Tara's head, and kissed her. "He doesn't stand a chance against the two of us." "Mmm...good point." Tara wrapped her arms around the redhead, and kissed her back.THE END Kirk B - - Bardlet #16 Life is much too serious to be taken seriously. I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parellel universe. Chaos, panic, and disorder...my work here is done. I'm going Nucking Futs!
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