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Finding What You Weren’t Looking For
Telepathy in ' ' and Happy Birthday T
Chapter 11
Fear
Willow and Tara lie tangled together. Eyes closed, breathing finally returning to normal as smiles adorn their flushed faces. It is Tara’s blue eyes that open first, full of unease and then panic. Willow’s snap open and she sits up feeling it too. “Tar-?”
“Ella... Something’s wrong with Ella.” The echo of thunder registers and the blonde reaches for her clothes as the redhead reaches for the phone.
Willow tries to keep the woman calm as she dials, “Maybe it’s just a bad dream and she woke up all scared.” When the phone rings and rings with no answer she too gets more concerned.
She dials another number and Buffy’s voice fills the line. “I felt it too. Add the storm outta the blue- not just a coincidence. I’m three blocks away and closing fast.”
“We’ll meet you.” She hangs up and looks at the blonde. Talking as she dresses. “Buffy’s almost there.”
“This is bad I shouldn’t have left her.”
The redhead slips on her shirt and pulls at her shoes as she tries to comfort her lover, she too feeling quilt about leaving the child. “She’ll be okay. Come on.” She takes Tara’s hand and they run out the door.
* * *
Joyce is getting to her feet just as the wind blown Slayer rushes through the slightly opened door, the rain just starting. “Mom?” She holds the wobbly woman steady. “What happened?”
“A man... he took Ella. I couldn’t stop him... I thought it was you I opened the door... I opened the door.” Her tears begin to fall as Buffy hugs her then helps her to the couch.
“This isn’t your fault, it’s mine. I should have been here.” She sits on the arm of the chair. “You said a man, are you sure?”
Joyce nods, “Dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, hard fist,” she lets her eyes close as the dizziness starts again.
“Lay back, but no sleeping you could have a concussion.”
“I’m fine,” she says as she forces the pain and spinniness away. “We have to find her.”
Buffy looks up as a soaked Tara and Willow run in, “Ella-” Tara calls out.
The Slayer stands, “Tara-” she starts but isn’t able to finish.
“No! No, this isn’t happening.” She turns to go up the steps but it is Willow who holds her tight. “No! Let me go-” she struggles. “Ella... baby-” the tears stream down her cheeks. “I’m sorry baby, I’m sorry.”
Willow tries to make her see it isn’t her fault. “It’s not your fault, okay it’s not.” She brushes wet hair away from her girl’s face.
“I left her... I knew someone was... she wasn’t safe and I left her.” Tara’s look gets hard as cold steely blue eyes settle on Willow. “I left her because of you.” Willow’s heart falls because she knows the words are partially true. “It’s your fault, you made me-” she attempts to pound her hands on the redhead’s chest but Willow is able to hold them.
“Tara, baby we’ll find her, I promise.” Willow pleads, her own tears falling now. “I swear, I’ll find her.”
“No... you... this is-” she tries as she finally breaks her hold and moves away from her.
Joyce’s voice rings loud, “Enough blame! There’s plenty to go around. Me, you-” her eyes move to Tara, “Her-” then to Willow, “The Slayer” she looks at her daughter. “Or we can place the blame where it belongs and do something about it.”
All look at the woman in surprise. Buffy is the first to speak and she looks at the witches, “You think you can do a locator spell?”
Spike walks in, his leather duster dropped back to his shoulders from where he had used it as an umbrella, “Don’t think we’ll need it pet.”
The eyes of the room fall on the vampire, “Spike.”
“Was playing poker with the boys, was some new blood there was. All ponces talkin’ about this and that, what they did, who they killed. On and on about baggin’ a Slayer, bloody liars the lot. Cept for one. He’s bad news, followed some gumby here-was gonna settle a debt... a wee one with lots of power and with her, he’d be rulin’ the world he said. Figured we might be needin’ to know more about him. So I followed him I did.”
“Where Spike?” Buffy grabs a crossbow from her weapons trunk.
“Warehouse on 8th and Riverside, but you can’t go just runnin’ in.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” The Slayer pipes back.
“Had some blokes watchin’ his back, demons, strong they were. Could feel it all around.”
Buffy looks at the worried couple, both laboring to keep the tears away. “Magic?”
Tara nods, “Probably.” She tries to think and finally says softly. “There’s a spell, but it’ll take time. I need my books and the ingredients.” She shivers as she speaks, the effects of the cold rain. The tears cover her face, having lost the battle. “It’ll protect us. The magic will just-”
“Just go.” Willow says in a whisper. “I know the one you mean. It‘ll just dissipate.” Tara nods. “I’ll get your things, everything we need. You stay with Buffy.” The redhead starts to go out the door.
Tara walks after her and stops her with a gentle hand on her shoulder. The witch doesn’t face the blonde. “I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean-”
Willow turns, “I know,” she looks into sad blue eyes. “We’ll get her back.” She leans in and kisses the woman.
Tara’s forehead meets hers as she pulls away slowly, “Be careful love.”
“I will,” and with the barely there words the redhead is gone.
* * *
In the beat up old truck, the little girl sits huddled against the door, a pile of blankets surrounding her. She is crying, but trying hard to be brave.
Donnie gets back in the truck and sits down next to her. He has a sinister smile on his face. “Won’t be long now kid. I’ll have my money and be rid of you for good once I drop you off at the warehouse.”
The child’s bottom lip begins to tremble and pretense of being strong falls as she sobs uncontrollably.
He grabs her arm, “Cry all you want, it won’t change nothing.”
Her eyes meet his and the thunder grows louder. She fights to stop the tears but can’t, “Mama will come and Millow! Then you’ll-”.
His laughter stops her words but not her thoughts as her mind reaches out. ‘Mama! Help me Mama!’
* * *
Tara looks up from the book as she hears the words in her head, “Ella-” she whispers. Willow who sits beside her in a pair of oversized sweats and a towel on her head looks up at her girl. “She-” Tara stops and starts again as all eyes in the room move to her. “She called to me.” She stops her work as she concentrates all her energy on her child. ‘Baby Mama hears you, are you okay?’
‘I’m scared Mama-’ starts the little one.
‘I know but we’re gonna come get you. Can you tell me where you are?’
‘In a truck-’ then adds ‘But we’re going to a house.’
‘A house baby?’
‘A warehouse, is that a house?’
She can’t stop the smile at the inquisitive little one’s wonderings. ‘Kinda. Don’t worry, I’ll be there soon baby girl. I’ll be there soon.’
‘I told Uncle Donnie you would but he just laughed.’
Tara pales at the words. Willow’s arm slides around her waist. ‘You just stay quiet, pretend you’re sleeping. Can you do that for Mama baby?’
‘I can.’
‘That’s good... I love you El.’
‘I love you Mama.’
With the those words the little one is gone, probably exhausted from the strain of the telepathy.
Tara fights tears as she feels Willow’s hand on her cheek, “Tara?”
“It’s Donnie, that bastard has her. He‘s taking her to the warehouse.”
Willow is instantly angry. She remembers his words from their one meeting, his hurtful ways. “We’ll get her back.”
“She’s scared, I feel it.”
Spike speaks, “Why don’t I just go pay a little visit?”
“Not that I’d really mind, but what makes you think they won’t kill you too, if you just show up?”
Joyce gives her daughter a stern look, “Buffy-”
Buffy rolls her eyes. “What? Vampire-” she points at Spike, “Slayer-” she points to herself. “Why doesn’t anybody get that?”
Joyce answers, “Angel.”
Spike grins though he does so without being caught. “I just know pet, they think I’m still all with the hunting. I’ll just keep an eye on the Bit till you bring the cavalry.” He shrugs on his duster.
Tara looks at him, “Thank you.”
Spike nods not knowing what to say and disappears from the room.
Joyce looks at Willow, “You need some warm tea, you’re still shivering.”
“I’ll be fine. When we get her back, I’ll be fine.”
Joyce goes over to the redhead and takes her by the hand leading her from the room. “Nonsense, you’ll sit down and have some tea.” You can hear the mother tell the younger woman.
Buffy smiles and sits next to the blonde who begins to work on the spell again, “Tara, who’s Donnie?”
“My brother.” She says without looking up.
“Why would he be trading Ella to-”
Tara interrupts her questions, “Money... He’d do it for money and to hurt me.”
“So when this thing shakes out, if, to get Ella back-”
Tara answers the question that Buffy can’t seem to ask, “You do what you have to do.” Their eyes meet and Buffy sees the pain behind the blue eyes, pain but also truth. Ella is to be safe whatever the cost.
* * * * * * * * * *
Thanks for being patient with me and encouraging me. It's a little shorter than usual, but Wolfkin assured me it was the right place to stop. Thanks T for all the work and help--Happy Birthday!
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pleasepleaseplease!!!!
And so far? It's great! 
), so it stayed. Besides, it's a nickname no one else has ever used. At least, that I've found so far! 
I'm soooooo happy you guys are going to continue this wonderful story. I'm Definally looking forward to your update. 
WOOP 
