FIC - Lingering Darkness

[Always E]

Okay, I'm still new to the whole open/posted praise of fanfic authors, but it's getting easier...so here it goes.



I really enjoyed AD and am equally enjoying LD because I enjoy the whole angsty yet know they'll be okay feel to the story. I know that often in the Jossverse......I wanted Tara to get pissed and lose her temper, justifiably I might add, more that the few times they actually let us see it. It might seem strange, but I always worried that by keeping it all in she was being dishonest with herself and Willow. Anyway, in LD, the fight Willow & Tara had was so raw it made my heart ache, and yet I enjoyed the realness of it at the same time. Sass, you're actually letting us see the evolution of Tara, not only as Willow's soulmate, but as her own person, and it's a pleasure to read...even if it is sometimes painful. Because in your world I know that whatever happens Willow & Tara will always end up together and complete.



So, that's it...it appears I have Willow's bad habit of rambling and using a lot of words to say something very simple. I enjoy your tale very much...oh wait that sounds...oh nevermind.



-E

[NewRuthRising]

So does this mean Willow's panicking about what that hell-guy said? Even though he has no power over them?*sigh* Poor Will. Keep going!

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Sometimes I get the distinct impression that none of us are as cool as we think we are. Hm. - Tommo

[Sassette]

**oneinten: Heh ... thanks *G* Really, I almost see getting mad as a skill - the ability to handle being angry is something that takes practice and/or maturity. I definitely see Tara as being very mature, hence the idea of giving herself some 'cooling off' time before talking this out with Willow - but I think if she had more practice being mad, she wouldn't need cooling off time ... she'd be able to just be mad without needing to worry about what she'd say or do. And the book ... oh, the Big Evil Book! The Girl Scouts have it. And, ummm ... enjoy you're, ummm ... hands on reading.



**tkheaven: LOL ... a blank brain is kinda' fun sometimes. Does this mean that if I tell you the earth is flat and the sun revolves around it, that will be indelibly imprinted on the blank slate that is your mind? Not, y'know, that I would ever do such a thing *G*



**MissQuirky: Thanks *G* One of the things I was disappointed in with AD is that I started writing it before Buffy and Tara developed their friendship in Season Six, so that stuff never happened ... and I really like the idea of Buffy and Tara becoming friends. And yeah - Tara is always thinking happy thoughts when she's thinking about Willow's aura ... I figure she probably used to sit up at night and watch it while Willow was sleeping. You're aboslutely right, though - they'll get through this tiff. As for Glory's minions ... you shouldn't be worried.



**Always E: Hi - welcome to the insane ramblings, and thanks for taking a deep breath and hitting the 'reply' button *G* I'm really glad you enjoyed AD ... it's such a kick for me to see that people are still reading that. And I'm glad that "angsty but it will all be okay" vibe gets through ... it was really important to me to keep that sense of hope there, because what's the point of reading all that pain if there's no payoff? As for Tara's anger, I totally agree with you - most of what we saw onscreen involved Tara being the calm and cool one, but I love the idea of her just being really >really< angry. At Willow. *wince* I know that sounds really bad, but I just think it's important that they get to a place where they can be mad at each other but still know they love each other ... and for Tara individually, it's important for her growth to learn that it's all right for her to get pissed off and to stand up for herself. She's come such a long way, but she's always had that core of strength there, and as she gets more confident, it comes to the surface more often. This is all good for her, which I think is important. And you think YOU ramble? Ha! HaHa! I took 400 pages to say "Willow's magick addiction was caused by a HellGod who was secretly after Tara the whole time, but our lovely wiccans managed to stop him through the strength of their love. Awwwwww."



**NewRuthRising: Heh ... of course Willow's panicking. When does Willow ever Not Panic? And just because he has no power of them directly doesn't mean he can't try to influence them or nudge them - or use his power to mess with people around them. Yes, Willow's panicking, but she should - this is a very bad situation.



-Sass

[WonderAnt]

wow, great update!

i really liked the tara thoughts about anger and everything, you do a fine job of getting inside her head.

oh, and loved the bit where buffy and tara are talking about faith.. i dont really know why, i just love faith.

anywho, that was ubershibby!

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These endless days are finally ending in a blaze --------------

[AutumnT]

Thing I liked, by me.

Quote:

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"So …" Buffy said, her hands clasped in front of her. "How about those Taglarin Mythic Rites?"

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Because it made me laugh. And hey. Family.

Quote:

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"Buffy, I'm gay," Tara said, rolling her eyes. "I know what it's like to have people judge you for who you're sleeping with."

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Because it is a million times better than "Sweetie I'm a fag." And because Tara was still nonjudgey AND you got to mock Spuffy and make Buffy stuffless.



Pissed off Tara. Because.

Quote:

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"Here we are, talking about 'me' stuff again," Buffy said with a laugh. "Have I always been this self-centered?"

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Yes. heh. And butch Faith references. Plus a flashback to my favorite Faith line. Driving stick. Still cracks me up.

Autumn

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Buffy Season 6: It grated, like something forced in where it doesn't belong.

[IsayAmberBensonsgorgeous]

honestly i was just wondering today when we were to get a new update of LD. i missed it and yay update and a great one as always. Buffy "stuffless" and the minion rambling about his bountiful etc. Glorificus those always make my day. thank you.

and the next update will be soon, right?

C

"Es ist fuer einen Menschen unertraeglich, ertragen zu werden." (Jean Cocteau)
"Ain't never gonna love you any better babe - And they'll never gonna love you right" (Kozmic Blues - Janis Joplin)

[zero]

Quote:

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"Her Most Lethal One has ordered your death should you not be in possession of the book,"

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I'm pretty sure I was told something similar at age 8 by the librarian at my primary school when I lost a book from the library!

There are three kinds of people in this world: those who can count, and those who cant!

[areslei]

When in doubt, smile and nod. you always. have. the. book. ikes! great update, sass.



, zero. I always had the scary librarians throughout school. No nice happy ones. I refused to use the school library for fear of mutilation or other unspeakable means of torture.

you two are the two who are the two...
Baby, I said it's all in our hands, got to learn to respect what we don't understand...'Fugitive' Indigo Girls

[SlayerTazz]

Sass - AMAZING update as usual. Glad Buffy was able to talk to Tara - kinda nice that she was there - Glory's minions need to go bye bye. lol I can't wait for the next update.

~Branny

In my world there are people in chains, and we can ride them like ponies. ~ VampWillow in Dopplegangland

Passion is the source of our finest moments. The joy of love...the clarity of hatred...and the ecstasy of grief.

[mollyig]

Tara, the poor love, so unused to being angry. Her guilt at giving into the anger is totally in character.



Buffy being a friend to Tara. That was nice to see. The conversation turning to Buffy's problems, is probably not only due to Buffy's typical self-absorption, but is also indicative of Tara's caring nature. Anyway, it probably helped Tara to calm herself.



I don't know why, but I thought it hilarious that one of Glory's minions was called Terror.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[Sassette]

**WonderAnt: Thanks ... but, uhhhh .... prithee - what is tihs 'ubershibby' of which you speak? And yeah - I was really happy with how all that Tara-Inner_monologue worked out at the beginning of this update, so I'm glad you liked it... as for Faith - I just kind of thought it was silly that these characters just sort of disappear and are never spoken of again *shrug*



**Autumn: *G* Thank you, Autumn. I just really wanted to write Buffy and Tara becoming better friends ... that development was one of the few things I actually liked about season six. Still, I figure Buffy really would be at a loss as to how to start a conversation with Tara, and would end up reaching for something bizarre, like Taglarin Mythic Rites. Besides - like you said - Family. I love that episode. I like referencing that episode. That episode makes me happy in ways I dare not describe. LOL ... thank you. I just couldn't stand "Sweetie, I'm a fag." And I know I'm not alone on that one ... what a terrible >terrible< line *G* But I felt the need to establish that, as AD was started early season six, Buffy and Spike have NOT, in fact, shagged. And oh, yes - pissed off Tara. Yum *G* And the "driving stick" line is an absolute classic - and, well, on top of being funny, it illustrates just how oblivious Buffy really is *G*



**IsayAmberBensonsgorgeous: LOL ... clearly, I must have somehow heard you wondering, and then had the sudden urge to write an update *G* And thank you - I'm glad you liked it. It's important to me to point out that Buffy is, yes - Stuffless. And the minions are five tons of fun - though I >did< have to use a thesaurus for a heck of a lot of their lines.



**zero: Wow. *blink blink* Primary School Librarians are TOUGH. Or, y'know, maybe that's all librarians, and I already knew that subconsciously, and that's why I avoid libraries. Hmmm ... I'll have to think about that.



**areslei: Gotcha ... I always have the book. But, ummm ... where were you when I was >writing< this update? Because Tara didn't have the book - and she admitted she didn't have the book ... I mean, this "always have the book" advice is great, it's just a little late, y'know?



**SlayerTazz: Gosh, thanks *G* I'm really happy with how the Buffy and Tara talk turned out - and Buffy's getting her groove back - which means she gets to do the super-over-protective Buffy thing for awhile. There was no way she was going to let Tara wander around all by herself. And yeah - Glory's minions ... kinda' fun in small doses ... not so much on a larger scale.



**mollyig: Oh My Heck ... you're a Big Knowledge Woman! Where the frilly heck have I been? Congratulations on your thoroughly impressive posting level And yeah, that's exactly it ... she's not used to being angry, and just reflexively feels guilty about it because she was always taught it was wrong. I love the idea of Buffy being a friend to Tara ... so I'm glad you liked it. And I totally agree ... I saw the turn in conversation to Spike stuff (errr, stuffless), and other Buffy things as being largely due to Tara ... she's naturally a listener, I think. But, y'know, Buffy's more likely to find the 'Buffy' reason for the conversation being all about Buffy And yes ... it definitely helped Tara do the calm down thing. And I kinda' like the name 'Terror' for one of Glory's minions, too. I figure he got that name because it's what he's always cowering in.



-Sass

[Grimaldi]

great update i liked how you described Tara's anger and the conversation between her and Buffy. wonder what Glory is planning now.

Dude, we're surrounded by perverts!

2nd place??? That's just a fancy term for loser!

"You feel her she's crawling nearer" Seven Witches

[WonderAnt]

come on, you know what shibby means.. you dont? okay shibby is a very good thing, and uber means much.. so all in all you have a 'much very good' thing going here.. i think what im trying to say is that i totally love this story..

characters disappearing? joss never does that! *cough* ms kitty *cough*

hmm, what is this glory chick up to now...

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These endless days are finally ending in a blaze --------------

[Scout]

Okay, that was fun! The heart-to-heart with Tara and Buffy was wonderfully done. It's natural to imagine Buffy going to Tara but you added a nice twist in Tara being able to talk to Buffy. As Will's best friend, Buffy would be the best person for Tara to confide in when things get rough.



And I loved the aura talk. I haven't read too many stories where Tara's ability to read auras was brought up, and, of course, they never went back to it on the show. It was sweet how Buffy wanted to know if she 'looked' the same. I was a little nervous that maybe she didn't.



Thanks for the update - always worth waiting for! We're gonna get makeup sex, right?

[The Big I T]

Tara's nostrils flaring. For some reason that visual just got me entirely hot. Entirely. And even though I'm pretty sure it wasn't necessarily supposed to do that, thank you anyway.

[Sassette]

I'll be catching up on replies in the morning, but right now I kinda' need to catch up on some sleep *G*



Title: Lingering Darkness Part 8a – The Best Part

Author: Sassette

Feedback: Can be sent to pink_overalls@yahoo.com

Summary: Tara does some Deep Thinking

Spoiler Warning: Up to and including "Tabula Rasa" in Season 6 and for the previous story, 'Answering Darkness'. For anyone who has NOT read Answering Darkness (or, come to think of it, people who are nuts enough to reread that monster), it's in the Completed Fics Archive here on the Kitten.

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. The stories all mine, though.

Rating: PG-13 - Please Note, sections are individually rated.

Notes: For the purpose of this story, all events of Tabula Rasa took place exactly as shown in the series; however, all subsequent events appear in the story 'Answering Darkness'. This story picks up where the previous one left off.



Lingering Darkness Part 8a

The Best Part



By Sassette



Willow paced around the living room, chewing on her thumbnail as she waited as patiently as she could manage. Spike, Giles and Anya watched her back and forth, back and forth, their heads turning in unison as she passed going one way, then passed again going the other.



“What’s taking them so long?” she asked for about the millionth time, pausing in her agitated pacing and glaring at the curtained front window as if it, somehow, were at fault for Tara and Buffy’s absence. “Buffy left, like, an hour ago!”



“Maybe she and Tara are lying in a ditch,” Anya supplied helpfully, a worried look on her face. Willow paled at her words, turning to her with wide eyes. “Or, oh – oh! It’s just about sundown – maybe a vampire got them!” she said, giving Spike a dirty look.



“Don’t blame me,” Spike said petulantly. “I’ve been here the whole time. Besides, I’m sure they’re fine.”



“Oh, right … you’re sure. You’re probably covering for your fiendish friends - you’re exactly the kind of creature of the night who preys on young blonde women,” Anya said.



“Guys?” Willow said weakly. “Not helping.”



“Well, you asked where they were … I was just pointing out that they could be …“ Anya paused as she heard the front door opening, immediately jumping to her feet. “… coming in the front door right now.”



Willow beat Anya to the front door easily, but stopped up short, Anya crashing into her back, her eyes going comically wide as she took in the sight before her.



“Could you, maybe, get an icepack? And, umm … some bactine? And bandages?” Tara said hesitantly.



“Honey, are you okay?” Willow asked, rushing up to Tara and running her hands over her body, checking for any injuries.



“I told you something bad happened,” Anya said, shaking her head wearily. Why did no one ever believe her? She had been around for a thousand years, and no one ever took her word for anything.



“Oh, sure … she doesn’t have a scratch on her, and I’m all battered, and you check her first? I see how it is,” Buffy said. Her arm was draped over Tara’s shoulders, Tara’s arm around her waist lending her support as she had limped home. “Stupid minions,” she said with a scowl, peering at Willow through one black eye.



“Oh, Buffy, you’ll be fine. Slayer healing, remember?” Willow said, sparing Buffy a quick glance, then turning back to Tara.



“I’m fine, sweetie,” Tara said, laughing lightly at Willow’s preoccupation. Buffy joined in, unable to stop herself from thinking that a frantic Willow was far too cute. “And Buffy will be fine, too. We just had a little tussle.”



“A tussle? How big a tussle? Like a tussle ‘two grown men beating each other up then having a beer together’ tussle, or a ‘two little boys arguing over the red crayon’ tussle?” Willow asked, getting to the other side of Buffy and helping her into the living room.



“I’ve got the first aid kit,” Giles said helpfully, popping back into the living room. Willow hadn’t even noticed he’d left, but he had gone for the kit as soon as Tara had mentioned they needed it.



“Thanks, Giles,” Buffy said with a grateful smile. “But it’s nothing much.”



“Well, I think … I think we should, y’know, put bactine on it,” Tara said. “You wouldn’t want that getting infected.”



“What infected?” Willow asked, frowning and turning her attention to Buffy. “You didn’t say ‘infected’ … why didn’t you tell me there was a chance of infection? What the frilly heck happened?”



“Nothing,” Buffy said quickly. “And, umm … I think I’ll just take this kit and go to my room,” she added.



“Buffy,” Tara said, a no-nonsense look on her face. “Sit down on that couch and pull up your pant leg.”



Buffy immediately sat, tugging up her pant leg and exposing a seeping bloody wound on her ankle. With a shake of her head at Buffy’s stubbornness, Tara took the kit from Giles, carefully cleaning the wound with the disinfectant. Sure, the fight had been a little embarrassing, but they were all friends here. No, they were family, Tara thought with a little smile.



“What’s so funny?” Buffy asked quickly, narrowing her eyes at Tara. “Are you laughing at me?”



“No – I was just thinking we’re family, so there’s no reason to get huffy, Buffy,” Tara said with a half-smile.



“Huffy Buffy,” Willow repeated, a pleased look on her face. “How come I never came up with that one?”



“So is anyone going to tell us what happened?” Giles finally asked, once Tara had cleaned and wrapped Buffy’s ankle.



“Well, we were –“ Tara began, only to be cut off by the slayer.



“Y’know – we were jumped by lots of big demons,” Buffy said quickly. “There were at least twelve, and they were huge,” she said, holding her hands apart to indicate something very very big.



“Are you sure it wasn’t Girl Scouts?” Spike asked, a smug look on his face. He had remained silent when Buffy came in, knowing he’d get the story eventually and seeing right off that Buffy hadn’t been hurt badly enough to be in any danger. “Not so funny when it’s you, is it?”



“Fine,” Buffy said with a sigh. “It was those little hobbits-with-leprosy Glory Minions. But there were six of them!” she tacked on.



“Yes, you were very brave,” Tara said with a light laugh.



“Glory’s minions?” Willow asked. “What did they want?”



“Oh, fine – you try getting jumped on by six little things with the sharp teeth and the grabby hands,” Buffy said with a scowl, thinking that Tara should probably answer Willow’s questions.



“Wait – those things are tiny,” Willow said, a confused look on her face. “How’d they get your eye?” she asked curiously.



“Nevermind that,” Buffy said, shaking her head and glancing sidelong at Tara, who seemed as though she had no intention of answering Willow’s original question. “We need to talk about what they were here for.”



“Actually, it’s a funny story,” Tara said, stopping Buffy from continuing. “One of them bit Buffy on the ankle,” she explained, seeing all the assembled Scoobies wince at the idea. “And when started hopping on one leg and reached down to grab it, she bent over and knocked her eye against one’s skull.”



“Oooohhh … that must have hurt,” Willow said with a little wince.



“And it wasn’t my most graceful moment, either,” Buffy said with a little sigh.



“So what >did< they want?” Anya asked after a long moment. “I mean, Willow asked, but no one answered her, so – what did they want?”



“Buffy, could you …” Tara began, waving her hand vaguely towards the kitchen.



“Yeah, y’know what? I think Anya and Giles and Spike should help me make dinner. Without going anywhere near the door,” Buffy said, getting gingerly to her feet. “And we’ll call you when it’s ready, and until then, you two just … do whatever,” she said, shuffling towards the kitchen, Giles and Spike helping her and a confused Anya following.



“But weren’t you going to tell us -?” Willow heard Anya say as she went into the kitchen.



Tara looked at Willow, a thoughtful expression on her face, but she remained silent, trying to order her thoughts. Willow stayed where she was, kneeling by the couch where she had been when everyone had fussed over Buffy.



“I … I, umm,” Willow said, fidgeting as the silence started to get to her. “Is this the part where you tell me what a big poop-head I’m being? Because I am, and I realize that now, and I’m sorry I’m such a poop-head.”



“No, no,” Tara said softly. “You’re not a poop-head, sweetie. You just … that made me really really mad, and hurt – that you’d just … make decisions for us like that.”



“I know,” Willow said quickly. “But I was scared, and I wasn’t thinking, and I’m so very sorry.”



“And you were avoid-y,” Tara couldn’t help but point out.



“Hence the poop-head,” Willow immediately agreed. “But, baby … you were kind of avoid-y too, y’know? And …this whole big thing is like … it’s like this great big thing, and I don’t know what to do with it. And I should be doing … something. Anything. But I did the wrong thing, and I’m sorry it was wrong, but I had to do >something<.”



“I know,” Tara said, a fond smile crossing her face. “It’s the Scooby fix-it reflex,” she said with a sigh. “It’s the same thing that makes you run towards trouble, but … sweetie, we … we have to be careful. Remember what we decided? We take care of each other? That has to go to decisions, too … we have to decide together. And so I’m sorry I made you leave school today when you didn’t want to – I should have listened to you.”



“I was being stubborn,” Willow admitted, a guilty look on her face.



“I know you were, but that’s your right,” Tara insisted gently. “It’s like … we should make decisions together, but … you should have final say in ‘you’ stuff, and I should have final say in ‘me’ stuff, and whether or not you go home from school is ‘you’ stuff.”



“I’m just sorry,” Willow said, shifting over and resting her cheek on Tara’s knee, her hand curled around her calf. “I hate fighting with you,” she went on, her lower lip trembling a little and tears welling up in her eyes. She calmed a little as she felt Tara’s hand stroking her hair, and she found her voice to continue. “Something bad happens every time we fight, and I just … I get so scared. I’m so scared that you’ll get hurt, or that I’ll lose you, and … I just react without thinking about it.”



“I’m scared too,” Tara said softly. “I’m scared that there’s something going on with you, and I don’t even know what it is, and that it’s … it’s bad, isn’t it? The nightmares? Whatever happened at school today?”



“I … I keep remembering,” Willow said with a little shrug. “I just want to forget, but I keep remembering going through Hell,” she went on softly, her voice distant. “When I dream, I’m back there, and not the happy snuggly parts – all the ‘before that’ stuff. And when I’m awake, something will remind me, and I’ll just see that cave. Like, a flashback.”



“Oh, God, Baby,” Tara said, her face stricken. “I’m so … I had no idea.”



“I know you didn’t,” Willow said, lifting her head to look at Tara, a sad half-smile on her face. “How could you? I didn’t tell you.”



“You have to tell me these things, Willow,” Tara said intently, a look of fear in her eyes. “W-what, umm … what kind of flashbacks?”



“Not that kind,” Willow said, squeezing Tara’s leg gently. “It’s stuff I remember – The Trickster and Glory fighting. The shadows rushing at me. You disappearing.”



“So it’s not … ?” Tara asked, worry in her eyes.



“No, baby. It’s not like your Glory flashbacks. I don’t … I don’t see things like I did them when I didn’t,” Willow assured her.



“Come on,” Tara said, urging Willow to sit up, and then standing.



“Where are we going?” Willow asked, taking Tara’s extended hand and letting herself get pulled to her feet.



“I’m feeling kinda’ … drained,” Tara said with a shrug. “Tired, y’know? But we still need to talk,” she added quickly.



“Yeah, I know – much with the talking is necessary,” Willow agreed, nodding.



“But … how does pajamas, bed, and snuggle-time during talking sound?” Tara asked, a half-smile curving her lips.



“Like my own private piece of heaven,” Willow said with a relieved sigh.

[areslei]

Yay! quick update. and sass, pertaining to my previous post, you don't really need to have the book to um..."always have the book." Little white lies have never lead to scabby demons assaulting scoobies, right? Again, with the smile and nod. It's good to see that Tara is ok...and buffy'll be fine with the slayer healing and all. Still feel bad for her...being bitten by a minion...ewww! Do they have shots for that? Love panicky ranting Willow...so funny, and seeing Tara being such the caretaker and healer that she is...always lovely. Will we get to hear the talk? Good that they'll talk...hopefully get EVERYTHING out in the open that's been weighing on their minds. That's all part of them helping each other out and loving each other, by knowing what the other is going through or thinking, and sharing in the problems and solutions. Love this fic.

you two are the two who are the two...
Baby, I said it's all in our hands, got to learn to respect what we don't understand...'Fugitive' Indigo Girls

[WonderAnt]

oh, that was so funny, and sweet! and dare i say shibby? yes, yes i do! okay, so that was awesome, like totally, for sure... hehe

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These endless days are finally ending in a blaze --------------

[SlayerTazz]

Sass - very sweet update!! So glad they were able to work things out (kinda).



I can't wait to read more.

~Branny

In my world there are people in chains, and we can ride them like ponies. ~ VampWillow in Dopplegangland

Passion is the source of our finest moments. The joy of love...the clarity of hatred...and the ecstasy of grief.

[VampNo12]

Sassette wonderful updates! I loved Tara being able to revel for a moment in being "pissed off". Or in other words, having the freedom to feel her anger with knowing she isn't a demon, as well as making sure she stands up for herself/not being silent in order to avoid any unpleasantness. Really I think an important step in their relationship is realizing they will have arguements, but it won't be "the end of the world" (ie their love will see them through).



Loved the reclaiming in this part, and I thought it was poignant how Buffy realized how she saw Tara in the past with her thinking, ("Family, yes but like a cousin you only saw and to trade Christmas cards with. She really hadn't understood Tara."). However, now the context of "family" in regards to Tara embodies what she feels for Willow/others, a true friend, and I love how this friendship was explored with Tara's caring nature in helping Buffy understand her feelings in regards to Spike. Also loved how Tara explained the aura's (especially the love expressed when talking about Willow's), as well as helping Buffy see that her aura (since coming back) hasn't changed too much/"like you have a cut and it's healing".



I always get a kick out of Glory's minions, and I liked how "Terror" kept trying to add adjectives to describe Glory, with Buffy trying to cut him off/just get the facts. The book seems to be quite popular, and I am curious why Glory wanted to help Tara if she still retained the book, but was ordered to be killed now that the book isn't in her possession anymore?



Lastly, I got a kick out of Buffy getting bitten Ow, and I loved how Willow was mainly focused on the uninjured Tara, but it's true Buffy does have "slayer healing" so her concern for Tara was justifyed. I also thought Tara explaining to Willow ("It's like... we should make decisions together, but... you should have final say in 'you' stuff, and should have final say in 'me' stuff, and whether or not you go home from school is 'you' stuff."), quite revealing, as well as a positive step in their relationship. Also glad Willow started explaining the nightmares/what she is remembering, and hopefully this fight will give them both insight that they need to openly communicate with each other, and not hold back to protect the other. Can't wait to see what happens next!

Edited by: VampNo12  at: 9/17/02 11:30:55 pm

[mollyig]

Huffy Buffy! That was fun.



I'm so glad our girls talked. They still have more to talk about though. Tara still has to tell Will about what Terror (heh) and the others had to say.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[IsayAmberBensonsgorgeous]

great, no cliffhanger anymore and huffy Buffy getting beaten up by Glory's minions (who were just like girl scouts only with leprosy) was priceless, just like Spike getting it from the 'girl scouts' have i told you lately that i love this story?

C

"Es ist fuer einen Menschen unertraeglich, ertragen zu werden." (Jean Cocteau)
"Ain't never gonna love you any better babe - And they'll never gonna love you right" (Kozmic Blues - Janis Joplin)

[tkheaven]

Quote:

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Does this mean that if I tell you the earth is flat and the sun revolves around it, that will be indelibly imprinted on the blank slate that is your mind?

---

Hey now, my mind is not a blank slate, I'll have you know..a-and, well, just a part of it,umm..at least at the moment is was BUT not generally blank just, blank- y at times...



I'm loving this story SO much...I'm all for talks that include bed and snuggles...



*ahem* tk purses her lips as wrinkles form on her forehead... I knew there was something wrong with the earth...I just didn't make sense..

Tk's new and improved "GrrArgg"

-----------------------------
Tara was similarly riveted, her body on slow burn as Willow's lips parted and her mouth opened, the food slipping inside and being consumed. Never in her life had Tara ever wanted to be a chicken casserole so badly...Later that night..."It's good to be a chicken casserole," Tara murmured, before passing out. ~ Answering Darkness by Sassette

[Grimaldi]

loved the update, glad Willow and Tara are trying to work things out. the description of the fight between Buffy and the hobbits with leprosy was funny.

Dude, we're surrounded by perverts!

2nd place??? That's just a fancy term for loser!

"You feel her she's crawling nearer" Seven Witches

[Miss1234Kitty]

Tee hee hee! I laughed all the way through their description of the fight and I still have an image in my head of Buffy bashing heads with the scabby minions. Willow and Tara sorting things out is lovely. Wonderful, Sass and I'm all sentimental. Oooh, wait... bedroom? Could W/T loving be following?



Yours hopefully,



Gem



(Don't be confused by that - have been sending out application letters and have yours sincerely stuck in my head! Think you might be a little confused by that!)

Tara: There's just so much to work through... and can you just be kissing me now?

[WebWarlock]

Excellent, really.



I am glad they are working things out, or at least starting to.

This is building up to something. This is going to be as big as AD right?



Wow. Cool.



Warlock

-----

Web Warlock

The Other Side, home of Liber Mysterium: The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks

"It is great to be known, but it's even better to be known as strange." - Takeshi Kaga.

[Tulipp]

I loved the way that Willow gave a cursory glance at Buffy and was only concerned about Tara, running her hands over her...until someone mentioned "infection."



Great detail, and great sense of Willow's character.

***************

Buffy: "Is there something you want to tell me?" Riley: "What? Oh, yes - I am a lesbian."
--"Something Blue"

[Sassette]

**Grimaldi: Thank you - a pissed off Tara is fun to write *G* And I just loved that Buffy and Tara had more screen time together in S6 ... it was one of the very few bright spots - and since I'm a fic writer, I get to steal what I like and ignore what I don't *G* And Glory is planning something Evil - of that much, we can be sure.



**WonderAnt: Well then, thank you, for finding my story to be 'ubershibby', and thank you for loving it *G* Heh ... disappearing characters ... wow, you're right ... Joss >never< does that ... As for Glory ... she's up to something Evil. Evil with a big capital 'E'.



**Scout: Thanks ... I'm glad you liked it. And I love the Scoobies when they're actually being a big group of friends ... I love the idea that you can pu any two of them in a room and get a touching moment. And yeah, Tara is an obvious choice to confide in, but I just see Tara being able to talk to Buffy about stuff, too - mostly because they both love Willow so much, in different ways of course, but still. They have that in common, and it's a pretty big thing in both their lives. I really like that Tara can read auras, and I don't like the idea of someone having an ability that never gets used because it's a one-time plot-point - so, Tara can read auras. She often doesn't because it's kind of ... invasive of privacy ... but she can, and she will when she needs to or is asked.



**The Big IT: Y'know, if finding the nostril-flaring thing sexy is wrong, then I dont' want to be right



**areslei: Oh ... you want the Scoobies to >lie< ...? Gosh ... but that would be ... wrong *G* But seriously, if they had any idea that Glory would want them dead if they didn't have the book, they woulda' lied like a politician during election year. And I'm not sure if they have shots for yucky-minion-bites ... hopefully the bactine will do it *G* Willow panicking is one of my favorite things ... and Tara's just a sweetie, and as Buffy got knocked around on her behalf, she wanted to make sure Buffy was all right. And yeah, the talk will be the last half of this part, so you'll definitely get to hear it.



**WonderAnt: LOL ... yes, shibby, thank you *G* I'm really glad you liked it *G*



**SlayerTazz: Thanks! And they're going to keep working it out in the last half of this update (as soon as I get around to writing it), so it's all of the good. At least, I hope it will be - I have no way of knowing what's going to happen until I actually sit down and write *G*



**VampNo12: Yeah, it's important for them as a couple to realize that they can fight, and it'll be okay - just as it's important for Tara as an individual to realize that she can get well and truly pissed off, and that will be okay, too. The reclaiming wasn't necessarily what I had in mind when I started writing this part, but I'm really happy with how it turned out. Buffy's thoughts on family was really important for me, to illustrate how Buffy's getting better slowly but surely - she's connecting with people again, and that's definitely of the good. Heh ... and I like Terror ... poor little guy. And yes, the book is very popular - but I'm certainly not saying why. That fight was kind of fun, except I really didn't want to write it all out *G* But it played in my head, and was fairly hilarious But yeah ... Willow and Tara are both getting better, and closer, if you believe that's possible *G*



**mollyig: Heh ... Huffy Buffy *G* I liked that one *G* Thank you ... and yeah, they still have >lots< to talk about *G*



**IsayAmberBensonsgorgeous: Well, if you count the post I'm replying to, then yes, you've told me that you love this story recently And thank you - I'm really glad you like it ... the whole bit with Buffy getting worked on by little guys just kinda' ...cracked me up *G*



**tkheaven: Okay ... not a blank slate ... duly noted. But the earth is STILL flat, and the sun revolves around it - go look outside ... does that look ROUND to you? And thanks ... bed and snugglies is never EVER bad *G*



**Grimaldi: Thank you - and yeah, they're working it out ... it's going to take time, but they'll get there. And the Buffy fight with the minions was just kind of fun ... I mostly saw them running away, but kicking her in the shins first



**Miss1234Kitty: Heh ... thanks! *G* And yeah, I've taken to imagine Buffy getting a black eye by bashing her face into a minion's skull when I need a little chuckle ... is that wrong? And yeah, they'll be sorting things out ... and, umm ... W/T loving? Gosh, would I write something like that? That's >private< ... writing that would be >wrong<.



**WebWarlock: Thank you *G* And yeah, they're starting to work things out ... and this is all definitely building up to something. Big as AD? There's really no way to tell. I certainly didn't think AD would be that big as I was writing it *shrug*.



**Tulipp: Heh ... thanks *G* Willow has learned that bruises and bumps and teeny tiny little cuts on Buffy are nothing to worry about - they're gone in a day. That means checking over her girlfriend who >doesn't< have spiffy healing powers is really a priority ... though infection is >always< bad, and something that would definitely pull Willow's attention - after she's satisfied that Tara is fine.



-Sass

[MadeinNZ]

Wait. OK. Let me catch my breath. I've just finished reading 66 pages of Answering Darkness and 20 pages of Lingering Darkness. It took a while, but luckily I took screeds and screeds of notes so that I could give you constructive feedback to, in some way, repay the effort you've put in to this wonderful story.



Now. Where are those notes? They're here somewhere. I saw them this morning. Just before I cleaned up and threw away the pile of newspa...



Dammit all to hell.



So. Love the story. Fantastic read. Chicken casserole. Hall sex. Tara pissed. Big fight. I think that covers it.

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


Anya: I have finesse! I have finesse coming out of my bottom!

Edited by: MadeinNZ at: 9/28/02 2:15:00 am

[MissQuirky]

Whew a good ol' angst free update! Loved it, all went well, no more fighting just talking and patchin up Buffy! Glad they got a chance to get alone and talk bout some things, they still have lots more to discuss tho. I think it will go well too after they get everythig out. And what better way to talk than w/ pajamas, bed, and snuggle time, i really don't think there is any better way!



Can't way 4 more!!

~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.