Fic: Alternatives

[barnabasvamp]

Update....what update?? *BV says as she eyes a couple of the bodyguards*

I will be most happy to "negotiate" with them while you give your muse some much needed attention.

(Such a tease!)

BV

"In front of total strangers won't you kiss me, Flowers for no reason but you miss me - OOH, I wanna be in love"

Melissa Etheridge-Skin

[NewRuthRising]

Ahem! Ladies and gentlemen, if you can tear yourselves away from the bodyguards (and even if you can't because the only reason they are working for me is because I promised fic and horny Kittens), I have completed the second part of this bit.



Alternatives



Chapter 9a(2)

Rating: NC17

Spoilers: All eps are now fair game.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but that which I create. All else belongs to people who can sue/excommunicate/execute me if I don’t write this.

Disclaimer #2: I am going to mess about with the ideas of religion in this fic, this is not intended to offend anyone, or contradict anyone’s beliefs, but it’s necessary for the story. I apologise in advance for any offence taken.

Summary: Tara back home

Feedback: Send all constructive comments to rmmik@hotmail.com (please put something like “Re: your fic” in the subject, otherwise I’ll bin it). Send all abuse to someone else.

Authors note: I don’t like Season Six’s ending (obviously), so here’s my way of making things better. Eventually. After much angst. But hopefully you’ll like the W/T bits. The happy ones I mean. Hold on tight!







Xander had gone home to change, Buffy was in the shower and Dawn was staying with a friend. Willow and Tara were picking out clothes. All was right with the world.



After finally deciding on an outfit, Tara headed to the door.



“Baby, where are you going?” Willow asked.



“Um, no offence sweetie, but I cannot get changed in the same room as you.”



“Why not,” Willow said, sporting a kissable pout.



Aw geez Red, Tara thought, ya had to make this harder, didn’t ya?



“Because, my ravishing beauty, if I see you changing I probably will ravish you.”



“And what’s wrong with that,” Willow asked, sashaying over.



She had to sashay. She knows I love it when she sashays.



“Buffy…next room…could walk in…bad image,” she managed to gasp.



“Okay, you’re right.” There was the pout again and this time Tara made no effort to resist the urge to kiss it.





Half an hour later the gang walked to the Bronze. The last time Tara was here was for her birthday, after she found out that no demon would erupt from within her, just love. Love for this new family who took her and protected her from people who were supposed to care. She felt the surge of gratitude to whatever force had sent her to these wonderful people, then remembered she was on first-name terms with her. She wondered briefly about Kel, until she entered the Bronze.



The atmosphere hit her like a punch in the face. Being tuned in to people amplified it, but she could tell the other Scoobs felt it too. It wasn’t the same as the first time she came here, when the sense of wrong that came from Faith’s hijacking of Buffy’s body had blared out like a siren at her. This was different, like these people, at their most primal core, knew their lives were at risk and so came here to prove they were alive, still a part of the system, still able to dance. The air practically hummed with the energy of life, like it pervaded the walls and made this place a haven for lost spirits. The irony of this was not lost on Tara.



Sitting at a table cradling a Coke, Tara watched the other three dance. If she concentrated she could actually see the bonds between them. They looked like umbilical cords attached to their hearts, throbbing with each beat. Watching, Tara saw them synchronise for a few seconds, and the bonds glowed brightly, forming a fluorescent red triangle, pulsing with life. It warmed Tara’s heart to know just how deep their friendship went, and she was humbled by the intensity of love between them. She grinned and got up to dance.



A song came on, and the girls instinctively knew it was the last one. The beat was slow and soothing, the melody charming and seductive, the entire mood of the Bronze shifted with the first chord. Buffy dragged Xander up to the dance floor, and the Wiccans followed. Holding each other close, the girls danced slowly until everything fell away, the universe tunnel-visioned down until all that existed was them and the music. Tara looked deep into the eyes of her love and saw the desire burning in them, the love, the need.



Time to go, Tara thought.



On the way home Willow took Tara’s hand, who took Buffy’s, who took Xander’s. Anyone who saw them would probably think they were being childish, and it was with childlike abandon that they would have told them to get stuffed. Hand in hand they meandered home, talking about pointless, silly things, absolutely content in innocent friendship. Had they been more aware of their surroundings, they would have noticed the vampires in the area back away, not from fear, but pain. They projected an aura of sheer good, and nothing with the taint of evil could touch them.



Ruth

----------




TARA:

I know exactly what they see in me.



A happy and sweet lesbian who’s never hurt anyone and has enabled you to find some truth and peace in your life at last, never mind the great sex we’re obviously having…realization dawns on her…aaah, right. Yeah. I have to die. Clearly. - Once More With Bitterness

Edited by: NewRuthRising  at: 10/27/02 9:01:20 am

[MissQuirky]

*Pushing through the crowd of bodyguards in search for BV, finally spots her in the middle* There you are, can't ya stay away from em for even 5 seconds? We have an update, BV, so come on!! *Looks at one of the bodyguards* Hmm niice , NO there's update... have to go read!! *Takes one more peek before grabbing BV and running off to read the update-y goodness that has arrived*



That was a great update! Liked the beginning in the room... even if we didn't get the ravishing, there was still talk about it! Bronze was fun! And the walk home was peaceful. Friends together again becoming the family they once were. Can't wait 4 more!



*Runs back over to the bodyguards* So where was I?



~Ashley~

Willow: We can come by between classes. Usually I use that time to copy over my class notes with a system of different colored pens. But it's been pointed out to me that that's, you know... insane.

Tara: I said quirky.

[NewRuthRising]

*Eyes writhing pile of bodies*



Hmm...the muse is threatening to go on strike (in true patriotic Engloish fashion) if I fail to see to all it's needs. Soo... *jumps right into the middle of pile*



Hi guys! *Catches sight of ashley and bv on other side of pile

*ashley and bv fail to notice as are being distracted by amazons.



Hey, what does a gir...er, muse have to do to get some attention round here?



Ruth

----------




TARA:

I know exactly what they see in me.



A happy and sweet lesbian who’s never hurt anyone and has enabled you to find some truth and peace in your life at last, never mind the great sex we’re obviously having…realization dawns on her…aaah, right. Yeah. I have to die. Clearly. - Once More With Bitterness

[barnabasvamp]

Ashley, so glad you pulled me out long enough to read the update. Too funny, can't even get dressed in the same room

*BV runs back to join Ashley, and show her exactly why she couldn't stay away from the body guards*

Ruth;

You need......Umm your muse needs to just jump in over here with me and Ash, cause we are where the action is

Now...about the update. It was nice, but we seem to be taking our good ole time getting to business.

More, soon?

BV

"In front of total strangers won't you kiss me, Flowers for no reason but you miss me - OOH, I wanna be in love"

Melissa Etheridge-Skin

[Grimlock72]

hmmm, this was odd:

Quote:

---

Aw geez Red, Tara thought, ya had to make this harder, didn’t ya?

---

Doesn't sound awfully Tara now does it ? More like Faith or something, where did that come from ?



Might be time to re-read this fic, I'm kinda lost at the moment... I seem to recall some people being sucked into a hell dimension or something..hmm...



Grimmy

"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

[LiangFeng]

That's because what Tara is experiencing is clearly the work of the mind-torture machine thingy. Am I right? Just a little speculation...

Unfortunately, all my Barbies are out working. --"Kiss of the Dragon"

[NewRuthRising]

Hmmm....interesting idea. Of course it could just be that being in Hell for 50 years has changed her. Hmmm......



Ruth

----------




TARA:

I know exactly what they see in me.



A happy and sweet lesbian who’s never hurt anyone and has enabled you to find some truth and peace in your life at last, never mind the great sex we’re obviously having…realization dawns on her…aaah, right. Yeah. I have to die. Clearly. - Once More With Bitterness

[Grimlock72]

Not likely, her suddenly being out of that hell dimension is way to obvious. Besides, that machine has to give her at least SOME nightmare.... Of course being 50 year in hell can't be good for you, but there's no sure way to tell if she's in that nightmare machine or outside of hell for real.



Based on not seeing Tara actually exiting hell esp. not with Kel, I'm taking the safer bet she's still in hell. Don't go all _Normal Again_ on me now .



Grimmy

"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

[NewRuthRising]

But you just admitted that Tara still being in Hell in obvious. Maybe I wanted to put iun a twist. Ooohhh, right there. Sorry Talking to my Amazon friend there. Is everyone enjoying being restrained by them?



Ruth

----------




TARA:

I know exactly what they see in me.



A happy and sweet lesbian who’s never hurt anyone and has enabled you to find some truth and peace in your life at last, never mind the great sex we’re obviously having…realization dawns on her…aaah, right. Yeah. I have to die. Clearly. - Once More With Bitterness

[barnabasvamp]

*Ahem* if you look closely Ruth, you will see that me and Ashley are doing most of the "restraining"

Thanks!

We are, however waiting for an update-you can't get out of it that easy!

BV

"In front of total strangers won't you kiss me, Flowers for no reason but you miss me - OOH, I wanna be in love"

Melissa Etheridge-Skin

[NewRuthRising]

Hmm, well if Ash and bv will let me me go for a sec....that's better. Here you go. *Jumps back into the waiting arms of the lovely ladies!*







Chapter 9a(3)

Rating: NC17

Spoilers: All eps are now fair game.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but that which I create. All else belongs to people who can sue/excommunicate/execute me if I don’t write this.

Disclaimer #2: I am going to mess about with the ideas of religion in this fic, this is not intended to offend anyone, or contradict anyone’s beliefs, but it’s necessary for the story. I apologise in advance for any offence taken.

Summary: Tara back home

Feedback: Send all constructive comments to rmmik@hotmail.com (please put something like “Re: your fic” in the subject, otherwise I’ll bin it). Send all abuse to someone else.

Authors note: I don’t like Season Six’s ending (obviously), so here’s my way of making things better. Eventually. After much angst. But hopefully you’ll like the W/T bits. The happy ones I mean. Hold on tight!





They got home, and Willow and Tara immediately said their goodnights and retreated upstairs. Buffy and Xander collapsed on the couch, sinking deep into the cushions. Finally the Slayer voiced something that had been weighing on her mind recently.



“Tara seems happy.”



Xander detected her less than enthusiastic tone.



“Why wouldn’t she be?”



Buffy sighed.



“When Angel came back, he was like an animal. Why isn’t Tara like that?”



“I guess she learned how to cope. Kel was guiding her, remember. Angel didn’t have that.”



“But Kel wasn’t with Tara the whole time. And even so, being in Hell that long would have an effect, right? I mean nightmares, at least.”



“Well, if Tara had actually slept since getting back I would agree with you, but do you really think those two just went to sleep the last two nights?”



It was obvious by Xander’s grin that he was enjoying the idea of that scenario far too much. Buffy blushed and whacked him on the arm.



“Ow!”



“Well, I’m just glad she’s safe.”



“Me too.”











Tara smiled at the overheard conversation. She was in the bathroom, and her improved hearing had picked up the banter. She was worried, however, about their concerns. She would have to tell them about her and Kel’s deal. She thought about Kel for a moment, until Willow’s voice in the bedroom distracted her from any further musings on her friend.



The sight that greeted her when she entered the room astonished her. Willow was leaning over their bedside table, lighting a candle. There were about ten candles overall, dotted around the room to create a warm, cosy glow. Willow herself wore a dark red nightshirt, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail to keep it away from the flame. It was a sight that was beautiful in it’s simplicity, like a photo of a child smiling. It touched her on so many levels purely because it was. Tara wrapped her arms around Willow’s waist and dropped a single, sweet kiss on her lips.



“Hey baby,” Willow whispered.



The simple phrase carried so much emotion Tara felt tears prick her eyes. Willow opened her mouth to say something, but Tara silenced her with a finger. Replacing it with her mouth, she savoured the feel of Willow’s lips on hers, and then slowly pulled away.



“Love you,” She whispered, not wanting to disturb the sanctity of the moment.



“Mmmm….” Willow groaned, resting her head on Tara’s shoulder. Tara brought their lips together again, and this time instead of breaking apart, she used her newly acquired strength to lift Willow off the ground and carry her over to the bed.



Setting her down, Tara gently removed Willow’s nightshirt, kissing her throat and shoulder tenderly. Rather than the all consuming desire she had felt the night before, this was slow burning passion, ready to be stoked into an intense inferno of love.





I love you, Willow, she thought. This seemed to awaken something deep within her, and she stripped off her clothes and lay on the bed next to Willow. Kissing her softly, she sought out all the sensitive spots on Willow’s body, tracing them gently from memory, listening to Willow’s sounds of encouragement. Within seconds they were making love, gently, almost lazily, until their desires overcame them and passion took over. Tara was almost knocked out by the force of the sensations passing through her body, and she collapsed on the mattress, pulling the covers over them both to ward off the chill of cooling sweat on their skin. Drawing Willow into her arms, Tara whispered an expression of love. Soon the two girls were talking quietly, content to watch the night in each other’s arms, making love every few hours until the first touch of dawn lit the sky. Cradled in a sleeping Willow’s arms, Tara felt something inside her give a smug grin, and she grinned with it. She was with Willow. She had every right to be smug.







Ruth

----------




TARA:

I know exactly what they see in me.



A happy and sweet lesbian who’s never hurt anyone and has enabled you to find some truth and peace in your life at last, never mind the great sex we’re obviously having…realization dawns on her…aaah, right. Yeah. I have to die. Clearly. - Once More With Bitterness

[barnabasvamp]

RUTH! Finally, thanks for the update. I was able to tear my self away from the women long enough to read it!



It is always beautiful to see the love between these two.



Wonder what the gang will have to say when they find out about "the deal" Tara made?

*BV Dives back into the crowd with a big smile on her face*

"In front of total strangers won't you kiss me, Flowers for no reason but you miss me - OOH, I wanna be in love"

Melissa Etheridge-Skin

[MissQuirky]

Lovely update Ruth! I like how the scoobies show their concern for Tara and actually have like a group discussion bout it. And ya know i had to love the end - yes it was wonderful!



Another update soon, right Ruth?



*Dives in after BV, pops head up* Ruth, I think yer bodyguards need to lose some of their armor. I mean its so heavy an-and their getting all sweaty - which i like! but yeah it needs to come off, right BV?



~Ashley~

Willow: We can come by between classes. Usually I use that time to copy over my class notes with a system of different colored pens. But it's been pointed out to me that that's, you know... insane.

Tara: I said quirky.

[NewRuthRising]

Thanx guys! If you look closely, there is a catch on the breastplate that makes the armour slide off beautifully. Mmmmmmmm...........................enjoy!





Ruth

----------




TARA:

I know exactly what they see in me.



A happy and sweet lesbian who’s never hurt anyone and has enabled you to find some truth and peace in your life at last, never mind the great sex we’re obviously having…realization dawns on her…aaah, right. Yeah. I have to die. Clearly. - Once More With Bitterness

[barnabasvamp]

ASHLEY;

Ruth is right, the armor does come right off!!

OK Ruth, this will keep Ash and I busy for just a bit, but need more update goodness!!

BV

"In front of total strangers won't you kiss me, Flowers for no reason but you miss me - OOH, I wanna be in love"

Melissa Etheridge-Skin

[NewRuthRising]

Writing this chapter is depressing me, and I'm going away for the weekend, so it'll be a while. Sorry.



Ruth

----------




TARA:

I know exactly what they see in me.



A happy and sweet lesbian who’s never hurt anyone and has enabled you to find some truth and peace in your life at last, never mind the great sex we’re obviously having…realization dawns on her…aaah, right. Yeah. I have to die. Clearly. - Once More With Bitterness

[barnabasvamp]

Hey, don't be sorry, creativity can often lead to depression as well as happiness.

Get some rest, We'll stay busy with yer guards

BV

"In front of total strangers won't you kiss me, Flowers for no reason but you miss me - OOH, I wanna be in love"

Melissa Etheridge-Skin

[NewRuthRising]

Okay, the final part of whatever chapter we're on as I've lost count has gone to beta. Hopefully it'll be back soon. Angst Ahoy!



Ruth

-----------------

Sugar Sweet Haven

http://sweetsugar7.hyperboards2.com

[hondosfirst]

Hi,

First I want to tell you that I love this fic.Second,I think I almost have as much fun reading the post replies.That is why I love Kitten Boards.I come here and get to laugh,and read smut.It helps to wind down sometimes hectic days.Anyway thanks for the story,I hope to get more comedy and smut soon.

Tex Rose

[NewRuthRising]

Okay, after much delay coz I'm lazy and dont like writing depressing stuff, here is chapter 9b



Alternatives



Chapter 9b

Rating: NC17

Spoilers: All eps are now fair game.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but that which I create. All else belongs to people who can sue/excommunicate/execute me if I don’t write this.

Disclaimer #2: I am going to mess about with the ideas of religion in this fic, this is not intended to offend anyone, or contradict anyone’s beliefs, but it’s necessary for the story. I apologise in advance for any offence taken.

Summary: Tara back home

Feedback: Send all constructive comments to rmmik@hotmail.com (please put something like “Re: your fic” in the subject, otherwise I’ll bin it). Send all abuse to someone else.

Authors note: I don’t like Season Six’s ending (obviously), so here’s my way of making things better. Eventually. After much angst. But hopefully you’ll like the W/T bits. The happy ones I mean. Hold on tight!





Light.



There was a light shining right in her eyes.



It was irritating.



Tara rolled over to where Willow was. Or was supposed to be. Her side of the bed was vacant and cold. Willow had left a while ago.



Getting up, Tara looked around. Everything was as it was the night before, as far as she could tell. She had been a little too distracted to take note of the room. Smiling at the memory of the previous night, she pulled some clothes on, humming. She could still feel the energy from last night, like it had formed a solid ball in her gut, waiting to be released. It was similar to the way she felt when she called up her magic, and it made Tara smile even more.



As she wandered downstairs, Tara’s smile disappeared. The house was empty. It was a school day for Dawn, but Willow had no classes till around three, and Buffy didn’t have to work, so where was everyone? Striding back up the stairs, Tara knocked on Buffy’s bedroom door. When no one answered, she knocked once more, and then entered. The room was empty, and there were signs of a struggle that someone had obviously tried to cover. A glint of metal from the windowsill attracted her attention. Firstly checking there were no bad guys about to spring a trap, she crossed the room, picking up the object. It was a bracelet; one Tara had given Willow for her birthday the year before. She hadn’t taken it off last night, which meant Willow had left or been taken through the window. The former being unlikely, Tara scanned the room for other clues. The bedclothes were mussed exaggeratedly, so someone had tried to make it look as though Buffy had just wandered out of bed without bothering to neaten up. Tara hurried downstairs and picked up the phone. She hit the speed dial number and Xander’s goofy answering machine message picked up. Cursing loudly, Tara slammed the phone down and went to find some shoes. She was obviously flying solo on this one.



She arrived at the Magic Box exactly forty-two minutes after waking up. It should have been open for at least an hour and a half, but the door was locked and the shop deserted. Letting herself in, Tara looked around. The shop was empty, but there was an unsettling presence, like the taste of old blood in her mind. She stepped further into the shop, and the door slammed shut behind her. Whirling around, ready to fight, her posture relaxed when she saw Buffy behind her, one hand on the door.



“Buffy, thank goodness I found you. Willow is missing!”



Buffy smirked. Tara frowned. Buffy never smirked.



“No she isn’t. She’s behind you.”



Once again she wheeled around, and sure enough, there stood Willow. Her pose was reminiscent of when Tara had first returned, hip jutted, smirking. It was wrong.



“Willow, honey, I was worried. Buffy’s bedroom was…was there a struggle? You dropped your bracelet.”



She held it out, battle instincts roaring, an uneasy voice telling her this was not her mate. Willow sauntered over and took the bracelet. Their fingers brushed and Tara felt a jolt, similar to the one she had felt when they had moved the vending machine to protect themselves from the Gentlemen, but with a dangerous undertone.



“Thanks.”



There was definitely something wrong here. Both Buffy and Willow were still smirking at some private joke. That same voice told her she was missing something. She inhaled deeply, and stopped short.



“Buffy?”



Again, the smirk.



“Yes, Tara?”



Tara inhaled again.



“Where were you last night?”



If the question surprised her, she didn’t show it.



“In my bed.”



“Willow? Where were you last night? After I fell asleep.”



Willow smirked again, and again her inner voice warned her that this was not her mate.



“In bed.”



Tara inhaled again. Willow’s scent was mingled with Buffy’s. In fact, they were all over each other. She stared at Willow, suddenly realising this must have been exactly how Oz felt when he found out about her and Willow. She turned to face Buffy. Willow’s voice sounded out from behind her.



“In Buffy’s bed, but hey, what’s the difference?”



Tara’s upper lip curled as she stared at the Slayer. The voice within her howled with rage. She growled deep in her throat, barely loud enough to be heard, unless you have Slayer hearing. Willow had walked around behind her and wrapped her arms around Buffy’s waist, and both smirks deepened. Tara stepped forward.



Movement!



With supernatural speed, Tara dodged the broadsword headed for her midsection, and watched in horror as Xander followed it out of the shadows, grasping the handle.



“Xander?”



“Hello Tara.”



Xander was also smirking, though his smile was dead, just like the stare in his eyes. Tara watched as the rest of the Scooby gang walked out of their various hiding places deftly carrying a weapon each. Tara turned to face the monster wearing the face of her love. It’s eyes were coal black.



“Why?”



Her voice cracked on the single word, and she tried to control the urge to forcibly remove the smirk from Buffy’s face.



“Isn’t it obvious? Come on Tara, why would I want you? Why would I want a demon when I can have a Slayer?”



Tara reeled.



A demon?



“I’m not a demon.” Her tone was pleading.



“Oh, really? Then what is it that’s whispering in your ear right now, telling you to rip out Buffy’s throat? What is it telling you to lay claim to your mate, like an animal? How is it you are so fast and strong? How did you survive in Hell if you aren’t a demon?



“I…I…I wanted to get home to you.”



Willow laughed. Tara looked away. The others were circling round. They each had a smirk and a dead stare, almost as if-



“Yes, magic. It’s quite funny, actually. Your breed of demon are actually good guys. If they weren’t under a spell they’d be protecting you. Fiercely loyal to a mate, willing to die for a cause. And brutally violent when attacked or hurt. Feeling hurt?” She sneered.



The urge to rip the Slayer into little pieces was getting harder to resist.



Willow walked towards her, hand held out, energy crackling and sparking over the palm. Tara almost sighed with relief. At least if Willow killed her, the rage and pain would stop.



“Ready?”



She nodded. The beast within her gave one last whimper, and prepared itself for death. The energy in Willow’s palm snaked out, tendrils sneaking up to her temples, the blackish-red magic causing a protective white haze to appear around her own body in response. She forced it down, and waited. The first wisp of power reached…slowly…and made contact…



The whole world imploded. Tara staggered and dropped to her knees. She shook her head, trying to clear it. She looked up, and what she saw was beyond even her broadened horizons.



There stood Willow, hand on hip, weight on one foot, magic snaking towards her.



There was the Magic Box, with her friends practically salivating as they watched her fight off wave after wave of pain.



But there was also something else.



Like a double-exposed negative, there was also a room, a steel box, just like the one she had left in hell. The two images were in one place, and it was making her go buzz-eyed. She reached out to Willow instinctively, trying to reach her, and suddenly she felt her. She knew from what Kel had taught her that this was a Link, a conscious meeting of two souls. She saw, over the top of the shop and the box, another Magic Box. In her vision one Buffy stood, arms wrapped around the fake Willow, watching her, the other paced the floor of the Magic Box, glancing at her-no, at Willow-from time to time. She felt the knot that had been in her stomach since that morning unravel, felt something, some power flow between them, filling her gut with love and concern. Then a fresh wave of pain hit her. She screamed, and felt rather than heard Willow do the same. Hanging on to the link for all she was worth, Tara stood shakily, determined to face this thing, sure she could defeat it. Then, the image of the real Magic shop changed to that of Anya. Her face morphed, and the voice that came from her friends grated enough to partially force it’s way through the pain.



“Tara…stop…you’re hurting Willow…”



Tara stopped dead. With sheer force of will she broke away from the comforting presence of her love, and had one last flash of the three images melded into one, before it all went black and she sank to the floor.









Kel watched the wires weave their way back into the walls, then returned her gaze to her friend’s prone body. The locket with Willow’s hair was still glowing from the spell. She sat there, perfectly still, for several hours. Finally, Tara began to stir. It took her a while to return to full awareness. She lifted her head slowly, the exhaustion plainly showing. Turning her head this way and that, her gaze finally rested on Kel.



“How long?”



“I’m not sure. I think around a year. It’s always longer the first time.”



The door slid silently open behind them.



Tara heard the screams and growls beyond it, the familiar smell of sulphur and blood, and sighed.



Kel watched. She knew what was coming. More than Tara did, actually.



Tara looked around carefully, every sense on alert.



“It wasn’t real?”



“No. Willow would never hurt you like that. And no, you aren’t a demon.”



Tara nodded.



Any Willow is better than this.



She burst into tears. Kel rocked her gently, knowing that Tara would have gladly died there, just as she would have let her sister kill her in her induced visions. But now there was more at stake. Kel shifted slightly, so she could see the locket that still glowed brightly.



Much ,much more.





Ruth

-----------------

Sugar Sweet Haven

http://sweetsugar7.hyperboards2.com

[NewRuthRising]

Grrrr stupid computer!





Ruth

-----------------

Sugar Sweet Haven

http://sweetsugar7.hyperboards2.com

Edited by: NewRuthRising at: 11/26/02 8:20:16 am

[NewRuthRising]

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!





Ruth

-----------------

Sugar Sweet Haven

http://sweetsugar7.hyperboards2.com

Edited by: NewRuthRising at: 11/26/02 8:21:54 am

[barnabasvamp]

Oh Ruth An Update

And you had to go and do that!! Wow, very powerful with the imagry, glad it was just that!

But, What More?????

BV

"In front of total strangers won't you kiss me, Flowers for no reason but you miss me - OOH, I wanna be in love"

Melissa Etheridge-Skin

[Grimlock72]

Not that I don't like this update.... but did you have to post it three times ?? Makes it look bigger of course



Dreams/nightmares are weird things, Tara's dream didn't make much sense.. glad she realized it wasn't really Willow there, though that was kinda obvious. Interesting to see thats what she's most afraid off; Buffy sleeping with Willow and still being a demon, hmm....



Unless who-ever made up that nigtmare didn't know Tara all that well, I doubt that. The probe-thingies probably made sure of that.



Now whats coming next into that chamber and whats stopping Tara from just blasting it back to hell ?



Grimmy

"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

[deixs]

I am very very very confused!!!!!



Please, update soon



Stef

[NewRuthRising]

So, people are confused? Good, I like to keep you hanging!



Next chapter should give some answers, and probably lots of questions too!



Ruth

-----------------

Sugar Sweet Haven

http://sweetsugar7.hyperboards2.com

[willntlover]

Me like-y!! Me like- mucho!!!



-Will

"Hear that baby? You're my always."

[NewRuthRising]

Just gone off to beta so fingers crossed



Ruth

-----------------

Sugar Sweet Haven

http://sweetsugar7.hyperboards2.com

[willntlover]

::crosses fingers::



Please, please don't let the comp eat the update.



-Will

"Hear that baby? You're my always."