AU Fic: Returning Home (working title)

[Betinha]

This just gets better and better!



I really like what you're doing with this universe and especially with the characters! I loved your tough bartender Giles! Very cool! Cordy, with her usual pleasant self, and Faith with her quick hands!



I'm loving the buildup. Can't wait to see where you're taking us!!!

[sabina]

Hi there



Ok, so I missed this update

But well, I read it now so no harm done



Very nice update, you're writing this story wonderfully

Although I'm starting to really miss Tara



Update soon?

---

"I know I was born and I know that I'll die.

The in between is mine.

I am mine!" - Pearl Jam

[Tempest Duer]

Everyone- I'm glad you're enjoying. Tara will appear in the next chapter.



Chapter 4: The Madness Maze



Okay, so my situation was pretty crappy. Buffy was God knows where and in league with this strange new Faith. And I still had no clue as to how I was to find Tara. I considered using my powers to locate her, but that would be a beacon to every magic-uster in a ten mile radius. And the Authorities. And anybody else who didn't know I was here, if there were any. So I had to rely on my wits, street smarts and personal resources, none of which were particularly existent. And if that's grammatically incorrect, you can ask if I care. And please take the stick out of your ass, it'll do wonders for your temperament.



I kept walking and shoved my hands in my pockets. I even scowled for extra effect, and lengthened my stride by about six inches. With all of these adjustments, I looked cranky, hard to approach and in general like a total badass.



So when an old lady walked up to me and tapped me on the arm, I was a little surprised. Partially because someone had actually dared to approach me while I was officially in a Very Bad Mood, but also because she was an old lady. It's rare that you find someone tough enough to survive that long, and rarer still that they'd choose to look their age, rather than get a tune-up in a body shop. I was also surprised that I'd stopped without realizing it.



"Dearie," the lady said softly, "You're going the wrong way."



I stared. "What?"



"You're going the wrong way," she said. "You should be going that way." She pointed down a narrow passageway to my left that I'm still sure hadn't been there before. "You won't find her if you got the wrong way, you know."



I shook my head once, slowly. "I don't know what you're talking about."



"I'm talking about Tara, you big oaf!" All of a sudden, she became menacing and angry.



I think I deserve a bit of credit for not flinching. "What about her?"



"Find her," said the old lady, "And protect her."



"You can count on me to do that," I told her. "It's my job. But why are you so interested in Tara?"



"She's my granddaughter, oaf. Now go and find her before I get angry with you."



"The Authorities won't be happy when they find out you gave me advice, lady. Thanks for the pointer and all, but I suggest you make yourself scarce for a while."



"Thank you for your concern. But the Authorities can't touch me."



"How..."



She smiled at me, sadly. "I died quite some time ago, Willow Rosenberg."



I opened my mouth to ask how she knew my name, but the was already gone. I rubbed my eyes and glared around me. I was conscious, clear-headed and seeing perfectly well. Which meant that it hadn't been a hallucination, illusion, or anything of the sort. So I put my hands in my pockets--at some point I must have taken them out and not known it--and strode down the small path, hoping that nothing nasty was waiting for me.



Nothing was, unless you consider the sound o fmuffled weeping to be particularly nasty. I began to walk toward the sound, and was making good progress until I came up to a bery solid metal wall. The ghost hadn't mentioned a maze. With a sigh, I turned right and kept walking.



A fork. Left. Another fork. Left again. A sharp turn and another fork. This time I went right. The sound of weeping was coming from everywhere now. I broke into a run. The crying girl had to be Tara. She had to be, that was why her ghostly grandmother had directed me here. She was trapped in this hellish silver maze.



I sprinted down a long corridor, my coat streaming out behind me. I went left on a fork and through looping passageways. But the weeping never got closer.



I was going berzerk. The maze was trying to keep me from finding her. But then I stopped. And ice-cold clarity filled my mind and body. The maze didn't want me to find Tara. And it was doing what it could to stop me from doing so. But this mad maze had made a fatal mistake.



I'm Willow Rosenberg. And I can find anything.



I drew myself up to my full height and sucked in lungfuls of the pure, clear, cold air. My hands were clenched into fists by my sides. Every muscle and tendon in my body was taut. I felst strong, stronger than I'd ever felt before. Like I was in my prime, wiht mysterious powers craclking at my command.



I pulled my right fist up toward my face, stared at it, then threw myself forward.



I crashed, hand first, through the wall. The polished metal exploded in a huge ball of blue flame.



For some weird reason, I wasn't thrown back by the blast. I jus tstood there, my hair and coat flowing out behind me in what I'm sure was an incredibly dramatic manner.



The blue flames collapsed and dove into me, sinking through my skin and becoming a part of me. I was powerful. Almost too powerful. Oh, well. These things happen.



But that didn't stop me from being surprised at what I saw when the explosion had finished.

Choosing not to decide is still a choice.

[bluewillowwitch]

,

I love this update! OMG! 's grandmother who is dead, told where to find her granddaughter. Oh I can't wait to more and see where this goes. Update soon, please?







bluewllowwitch

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita loos

[Arwen276]

hmmm INTERESTING!!!



I WANT MORE!



~Arwen

Hear That Baby? You're My Always... Willow

[justin]

That was a great update, even though there weren't any dancing bananas.



I'm curious about what had Willow so surprised.



Looking forward to reading more.

Anya in a wimple...I'd pay full admission for that. Gods Served And Abandoned - by Antigone Unbound


You know the worst thing about people in a relationship? The fact that they're in a relationship. - Hilda Spellman

[onyxsundrops]

Well, you certainly have my attention! Please update soon, I wanna know what Willow saw. A person, maybe?



Yvonne

[Betinha]

... No! Wait. Don't leave it there!



What did she see? What is it? Who is it? Must know, please!!



By the way, you had me lughing out loud with this:

Quote:

---

And if that's grammatically incorrect, you can ask if I care. And please take the stick out of your ass, it'll do wonders for your temperament.

---

Now I'll just go and sit patiently and wait for more... And I know you will give us more, because you're a very nice person that likes us kittens very much! (Hint, hint)

[Tempest Duer]

bluewillowwitch: I can't wait to (decides not to use the writing smiley) more and see what happens. I'm just doing what my muse says.



Arwen276: I'm glad you like. I'll update... soon.



justin: Sorry about the lack of bananas. I just couldn't work them in. But not to worry, there will be bananas before this fic is done.



onyxsundrops: Did she really see something, or was it just an illusion? Nah, she saw something.



Betinha: But I must stop there! I am an author, and we use cliffhangers to ensure that you'll keep coming back for more. And because we become infinitely appealing to the readers. I'm glad you liked the line...

Choosing not to decide is still a choice.

[singgirl]

Wow, I really like this, very original. I can't wait for Willow and Tara to meet!

Pax! -Bev

[sabina]

Yay, another update



This was great... So Tara grandmother's wants Willow to protect her granddaughter... that's sweet



I wonder if what Willow saw after breaking through the wall was Tara



Update soon?

---

"I know I was born and I know that I'll die.

The in between is mine.

I am mine!" - Pearl Jam

[thebardgirl]

okay, you told me about this, and now, i'm going to have to order this fic from you, how much is the shipping and handeling again? let me know and i'll send it right out, hey, it's strongasanamazon.com! the only place to go to buy everything fanficy of w/t. perfect! you write wonderfully and the character of willow is developed so well, i love it! i really really love it! so keep it up, dude!

-elizabeth

Edited by: thebardgirl at: 10/11/03 2:32 pm

[Tempest Duer]

singgirl: Wait no more.



sabina: Here ya go. Your prayers have been answered.



thebardgirl: Elizabeth honey, you are so sweet, and totally generous with your praise. Shipping and handling is free for you... heh. Strongasanamazon.com. I'm going to have to do something with that... maybe the URL for the website I don't have...



Chapter 5: Tara



"Oh, no," said a choked female voice. "Not another one..."



It was Tara. It had to be. I'd recognize those ancient blue eyes anywhere. Her eyes blazed with light, but the rest of her... I hardly recognized it. The blonde hair that had been so thick and lustrous hung lankly around her sallow face and hollowed cheeks.



I was shocked. Something was sucking the life out of this girl, and obscenely quickly too. It looked as though the flesh had been stripped from her frame, leaving her with nothing but bones beneath her pale, waxy skin. And that really, really pissed me off.



"What's happening to you?" I nearly shouted. "You look half dead! No... more like three-quarters dead!"



"There's no need to shout," she said tiredly. "I'm right here. I am about half-dead, but there's no need to worry. This is the most alive I've been since Mom died..."



"You're not living at all," I said flatly. "Being half-dead is worse than actually being dead, because you're not really either. And you're just going to keep on dying slowly and painfully but you're not actually going to die and you'll never get any peace for yourself."



"You're just like all the others," she said hollowly. "You don't love me. You just want to use me."



"Sorry," I said. "Only one out of three correct. I'm not like all the others and I'm not going to use you. But you're right, I don't love you, though I'm not at all sure if even that's true. But I don't know you so I can't be completely sure at all, and that was a completely redundant thing to say, I'm sorry about that, but it looks like my mouth has decided to run away with itself at the most inopportune time, and I'm now babbling like an idiot, so I'd really better stop... now."



"I don't think I believe you."



"You don't have to," I said. "But I promised the ghost that I'd protect you, so I will. I always keep my promises. Always. That's why I don't make them often."



She looked baffled. "A g-ghost?" She stopped and scowled. "It promised I w-wouldn't stutter a-anymore. It l-lied to me. And you're going to l-lie too. A-and the g-ghost."



"The ghost said she was your grandmother. I don't know if she was telling the truth or not. But the fact of the matter is I'm going to protect you whether you want me to or not."



"They always l-lie. T-then they take everything a-away from m-me. And it h-hurts. But that's w-why I'm here. Because they l-love me here and they w-won't take me away. I don't w-want to leave."



"Whatever powers there are here, are lying to you too, Tara," I said as soothingly as I could. "They don't love you. They're just telling you what you want to hear so that they can use you. But I'll protect you. You can trust me."



"B-but..."



"I promise I'll protect you. And that I won't use you, and that I won't lie to you."



"H-how do I know you're not l-lying now?"



"You're very perceptive," I told her. "Probably too smart for me. But I never lie. It's a bad habit to get into. But claim yourself back, Tara. Don't let anything have power over you. Take yourself back."



Tara rose, shaking, to her feet.



Then the maze exploded.



This time, I was sent flying. So was Tara. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close to me, trying to shield her from the blast with my own body. I clung to her with all of my strength as she trembled in my arms... desparation was all that kept me from letting go.



Together we flew, battered by winds, heat, and flying debris. Pain shot through my body as a flying piece of steel opened my leg to the bone. Blood leaked from the wound and soaked my clothing.



Then everything went black.

Choosing not to decide is still a choice.

[Arwen276]

Interesting twist!!



why do the powers want to lie to Tara?

why has she withered away like that?

will Willow be okay after a the injury?



TUNE IN TO ANOTHER UPDATE OF "RETURNING HOME" , HOPEFULLY IN THE NEAR FUTURE...PLEASE?





~Arwen

Hear That Baby? You're My Always... Willow

[sabina]

This was a great update

And Tara was there



But I felt sorry for her... your Tara seemed to be so broken down

Hopefully Willow will help her to get back on her feet



Oh, I liked Willow's babble when she met Tara.

Quote:

---

Only one out of three correct. I'm not like all the others and I'm not going to use you. But you're right, I don't love you, though I'm not at all sure if even that's true.

---

Ehehe... She has just met her and already she loves her



I want to know wha happens next



Update soon?

---

"I know I was born and I know that I'll die.

The in between is mine.

I am mine!" - Pearl Jam

[Grimlock72]

Hmm... seems that maze needed Tara to exist, bad maze .



I just found this fic and was wondering how Willow managed to survive a hit to the head with inhuman strength, like Faith gave her. Some of her powers are still there then, can't see her surviving long without some protection anyway.



Now why would Tara go into the hellmouth in the first place ? I can see how evil demon could use her for their own profit once she was inside the hellmouth... but who persuaded her to go there in the first place ?



I like the universe you're creating for this story, a bit surreal but still somewhat familiar. Still wondering why Tara's dad really wants to find her, assuming Tara told him she didn't want to live at home anymore. (if she just went away it's logical he would go look for her)



I hope Willow is alright, that sounded like a nasty cut there at the end. The Willow/Tara talk was heart-breaking because Tara sounded soooo fragile .



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

Edited by: Grimlock72 at: 10/13/03 3:34 am

[justin]

That was another great update.



So was it the maze that was draining Tara's life or something else?



It's a pity that Tara didn't trust Willow, but I'm sure she'll convince her otherwise.



I'm looking forward to reading more

Anya in a wimple...I'd pay full admission for that. Gods Served And Abandoned - by Antigone Unbound


You know the worst thing about people in a relationship? The fact that they're in a relationship. - Hilda Spellman

[xita]

Ooh Tara's here. Your fic is so very intersting so AU. Even their meeting is unusual, they seem familiar yet much like strangers to each other. Thanks for the update.

- - - - - - - - - - -
"Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose."

-Me & Bobby
McGee

[bluewillowwitch]

,

Love the update! seems half sane half cazy. I hope that can help her. I hope that will let help her. Can't wait to more and see what you muse has for you next. Update soon, please?









bluewillowwitch

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

[shuyaku]

Well - they've met Whatever Tara's family was doing to her - it seems pretty severe I'm glad Willow is there to save her.



Great update...

-shuyaku

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

"Oh God, Willow—you’re giving me the gift of Karen Carpenter. Just when I think I grasp the full extent of your love." - Tara

"Why do birds suddenly appear? It’s because, you are queer…" - Willow (Gods Served and Abandoned by AntigoneUnbound)

[thebardgirl]

WHOO! that was COOL! i want to read and read and read now....if its by YOU! dude that was excellent...and now....im sorta confused...but thats only because i dont' now why tara would you know, go all, scary-lifeless-like. that was so awesome though. gotta love au's....they're rockingly cool. and yes! i WILL buy it at strongasanamazon.com excellent, and yes add it to your invisible list of links, cause i do it too all the time! *does happy dance for the update* whoo...i'm happy now..

-elizabeth

Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see my own precious jewel sat smiling by me.

And when I awakened I found it not so; my eyes like some fountain with tears overflowed.

[Tempest Duer]

Arwen276: Well, relatively soon.



sabina: Yay! I can write proper Willowbabble! I'm glad you approve.



Grimmy: Willow is still very powerful. You have to be to survive life early. Things are starting to come together in my head, and with luck they'll start to come together in the story too.



justin: Well, the maze was basically my plot device to get Tara into Hellmouth, but I've got a proper reason too...



xita: Wow, even Xita likes my work... I am TOTALLY feeling special now.



bluewillowwitch: Oh, she'll find a way to help Tara. She's Willow. That's what she does.



shuyaku: Tara's family will probably be the closest thing in this fic to canon... they are evil. EVIL!



thebardgirl: Ah, my dear Elizabeth, it's always good to hear from you. Everything will be explained... eventually...

Choosing not to decide is still a choice.

Edited by: Tempest Duer at: 10/14/03 9:13 pm

[Draco119]

Willow and Tara finally meet. I love the setting you've got going on. I also liked the conversation Willow had with Tara's grandmother. Keep up the great work.

[WintersDreamer]

Ok .... evil place to be leaving us in ....... Tara drained and Willow unconcious ....



Couple of questions:



1. Who or what is draining Tara ... evil dad or evil brother monster?



2. Exactley WHO or What is the Authority?



Update soon please

[Tempest Duer]

draco119: I'm glad you're enjoying. More will be up relatively soon.



WintersDreamer: 1. You'll see. 2. They run anything and everything to do with the Hellmouth. But as for their significance... you'll see.

Choosing not to decide is still a choice.

[Betinha]

Never fear, for Tara is here!



Ok, so they've met. I'm very curious to see where we go from here! Hmmm!



And by the way, you said that as an author you "use cliffhangers to ensure that we'll come back", well, trust me, you don't need to. I'd came back anyway, because this fic really is appealing. And I'm not just saying that to get another update. (But if it works, another update would be apreciated! )



Take care!

[thebardgirl]

everything will be explained, eh? well, 'how boot you explain some time in the near futurey....if that is a real time period that is. take your time in updatage....just wanna know what's up with Tara....poor thing is not looking too hot, and that generally is really....REALLY hard for Tara to do. i'm still lovin' it!

-elizabeth

[Tempest Duer]

Thanks Betinha. I'm almost done with the next chapter, I just have to get around to finishing and typing it...



Elizabeth honey, don't worry, Tara will be back to her usual hottie self soon.

Choosing not to decide is still a choice.

[Tempest Duer]

Chapter 6: In the Dark







WARNING:The first bit is not at all a nice read.







"Demons should be seen," said an angry male voice, "not heard. How dare you try to corrupt my innocent son with your insidious ways?"



I felt the tough leather of the whip cut my back. I gritted my teeth and tried not to cry out as the white-hot pain shot through my body. I squeezed my eyes shut to prevent the tears welling up in them from showing.



"You demon, you witch, you thing of evil!" he hissed, punctuating his words with blows. "As if you weren't a burden enough, you assume a likeness so similar to that of my beloved wife... is there no limit to your evildoing? Will you stop at nothing to exact every last cruelty upon my breaking heart?"



With a feral roar, he threw himself to beating me.



I howled in agony as my flesh tore again and again. I felt hot drops of my blood flying in the air as he brutalized my already fragile body.



When he finally tired, he untied me and flung me to the floor. I heard the door's lock click as he slammed it behind him.







A scream tore its way out of my throat and I shot up to a sitting position. I was drenched in cold sweat and my hair felt as though someone had tied it in knots. Maybe someone had.



Blood-soaked sheets were wrapped around me. Blood... so much blood... I screamed again, and winced at the effect it had on my vocal words. I struggled to get out of the sheets, away from the blood and the pain and the fear. But I couldn't move my legs.



I would have screamed again, but at theat moment the door flew open with a bang and a blonde storm flew into the room. I'm pretty sure my mouth fell open from the shock, but I didn't have much in the way of physical sensation anywhere in my body.



"Oh, Goddess, you're awake! I was sure you'd sleep just a little longer... oh, this is just wonderful!" She threw up her hands and sighed exasperatedly. "Lie down again, you're in bad shape."



I tried to speak, but all I managed was a strangled croak. It was Tara. Tara was standing over me and fussing over me.



She looked a lot better. She was still deathly thin, but her skin had lost its waxy texture and had a bit more color in it than your average piece of chalk.



But the most striking change was in her eyes. They looked human again. The twisted, manic glitter was gone, as was the defeated shadow. She looked calmer. Safer. Like someone I could trust. Like the woman I'd come to Hellmouth to find.



"I'm so sorry, Willow," she whispered.



Finally I found my voice. "Sorry? What the hell do you have to be sorry for?"



"You're hurt, Willow. Your leg got torn by the shrapnel storm. You've lost a lot of blood, and..." Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.



I could see the deepest depths of the oceans in her eyes. I could see the skies on a clear day and stars winking at me through the night. I saw a pure soul dancing behind a veil of tears and a whole bunch of other unWillowy metaphors. "Hey," I said, brushing a stray lock of hair out of her face. "Don't cry."



Obviously this was the wrong thing to say, because she flung herself into my arms and wept with renewed vigor. I put my arms unsteadily around her. She was so soft, and wam, and delicate, but there was a strength beneath all of those things that impressed me. I felt like I could hold her forever.



I don't know how long she cried for, but it probably felt longer than it was. When she finally quieted, she leaned back and gazed at me wearily. "Thanks, I needed that. Sorry."



I still didn't know what she was apologizing for, but I decided not to say anything for fear of setting her off again.



Then she was all business. "Can you move?"



I nodded. "A little."



She wrapped an am around my torso. She smelled nice, like vanilla and cinnamon, and something else I couldn't quite put a name to. "All right, let's get you to the couch so I can change the bedsheets."



With Tara's support and the strength of my one good leg, I managed to reach the couch and flop on it. Tara methodically stripped the bed and put clean sheets on from a large pile.



"Where are we?" I coughed. My throat was raw from screaming, and even coughing hurt.



"The Bronze," said Tara. "We're in Giles's spare room behind the bar. Lucky for us it's soundproofed."



"How..."



"Some woman in the alleys helped me to carry you here. I think she said her name was Faith."



"Faith helped you?"



"Yes." She paused for a moment. "She said t would be a waste of a perfectly good kill if you bled to death in the alleys."



I tried to come up with a cool, witty comment, but my sense of humor failed me. So I settled for asking about the nightmare. "Tara, I've never had many dreams. I sleep too deeply to dream. But I just woke up from a nightmare."



She looked disturbed. "W-what sort of n-nightmare?"



Damn. Her stutter was back again. I recounted the events of the dream as cleanly as I could manage. By the time I was done, the color had drained from her face.

Choosing not to decide is still a choice.

[thebardgirl]

I love it, although i must apologize for the strangeness that is me, this fic is the best. And i can't imagine not reading it earlier, but i swear! i didn't see it...i was reading...other....things....but this is wonderful! And although not the happiest of all situations, is getting me more and more intrigued!! you go with your bad-explanative self!

-elizabeth

Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see my own precious jewel sat smiling by me.

And when I awakened I found it not so; my eyes like some fountain with tears overflowed.