by Lisa of Nine » Wed Jan 30, 2002 4:41 pm
I haven't had enough free time to finish the last chapter. I'm in class until 9:00pm, then an hour driving home...so I won't be able to get to the wrtiing until at least 10:00pm. I'm 1/3 done right now, that means another 15+ pages to write...
which means... It's coming...it's just coming slow. (Gosh that sounds dirty.)
Anyway, when I have it, you'll have it! (probably not tonight.)
Sorry for the delay,
Lisa
PS... WOW! on the feedback. Woo and Hoo!
Thanks,
L
by Thanatopsis » Wed Jan 30, 2002 5:43 pm
T
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DAWN: I gave birth to a pterodactyl.
ANYA: Oh my god, did it sing?
by Sassette » Wed Jan 30, 2002 5:59 pm
-Sass
by Willow-n-Tara_1 » Wed Jan 30, 2002 6:15 pm
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A Closed Mind id a Wonderful Thing to Lose
by Puff » Wed Jan 30, 2002 6:24 pm
Thanks for the update on when we can expect the next chapter.
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“I…I love you. I just…I just don’t want to be afraid anymore. I want to feel like I am living again.” Legends of the kiss by Mariacomet
by DISASTERAREA » Wed Jan 30, 2002 6:53 pm
[This message has been edited by DISASTERAREA (edited January 30, 2002).]
by willow_thebadasswitch » Wed Jan 30, 2002 7:16 pm
~Caro
by Quill » Wed Jan 30, 2002 7:23 pm
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"My faith in love is like blood...I spill it freely."
by Pixie » Wed Jan 30, 2002 8:57 pm
by Robin » Thu Jan 31, 2002 5:17 pm
by Kiwiccan » Fri Feb 01, 2002 11:43 pm
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Paula
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May the Amber Force be with you.
Keeper of my own insanity
by Scout » Sat Feb 02, 2002 6:06 am
Hey, Paula - I just noticed that you're "Gay Now." Well, I don't mean gay as of right now, I mean your little avatar changed. Much congrats!
by RomanceJunky » Sat Feb 02, 2002 8:18 am
RJ
Adding a huge CONGRATS to Paula!!!
HAPPY "GAY NOW" DAY!!!
by Puff » Sat Feb 02, 2002 9:39 am
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“I…I love you. I just…I just don’t want to be afraid anymore. I want to feel like I am living again.” Legends of the kiss by Mariacomet
by Pixie » Sat Feb 02, 2002 10:26 am
I hope we don't need any of those pink streamer things.
We're with you Lisa!
by Quill » Sat Feb 02, 2002 4:10 pm
by katydid » Sat Feb 02, 2002 4:56 pm
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"She practically has 'genuine molded plastic' stamped on her ass.
by Kiwiccan » Sat Feb 02, 2002 7:48 pm
quote:
Originally posted by Scout:
Our own "Hands Across the Kitty Board," sending good vibes out to Lisa telling her to hurry back.Hey, Paula - I just noticed that you're "Gay Now." Well, I don't mean gay as of right now, I mean your little avatar changed. Much congrats!
Yes Scout, our very own "Hands Across the Kitty Board". I like it!
We should softly chant: Liiisa...Liiisa...Liiisa
Thank you Scout,Puff and RomanceJunky. I became "Kitty board" gay last week. I think I wear it well...LOLOLOL.
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Paula
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May the Amber Force be with you.
Keeper of my own insanity
[This message has been edited by Kiwiccan (edited February 02, 2002).]
quote:by Kalita » Sat Feb 02, 2002 7:58 pm
Y'know, normally I'd get real impatient by now... but this one is SO worth the wait!
by Lisa of Nine » Sat Feb 02, 2002 8:42 pm
My FTP site seems to be down, so I can't get
the freaking chapter up. I'm gonna' post it here, but... I'm not sure what how much text the board can support. How many pieces should I chop it into?
Anyone? Little help here? *G*
I don't want to crash the board... I await the advice of a board mom or other expert...
Thanks again for all the support.
The 'kitten paws across cyberspace' helped a lot!'
Lisa
by Web Warlock » Sat Feb 02, 2002 8:49 pm
If you need temp space for your fic, let me know and I can set you up on my server.
I just got a nice upgrade with few more megs of space and unlimited bandwidth.
Just let me know.
Warlock.
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Web Warlock
web.warlock@attbi.com webwarlock@planetadnd.com
Author, the Netbooks of Witches and Warlocks
The Other Side: http://www.xtreme-gaming.com/theotherside/
--
Tom Servo: Oh my God. They killed Black Leaf!
Crow: You bastards!
- MST3k: Dark Dungeons
by xita » Sat Feb 02, 2002 9:00 pm
by Kalita » Sat Feb 02, 2002 9:01 pm
by Lisa of Nine » Sat Feb 02, 2002 9:05 pm
Oh, XITA,,,please don't kill me if I crash this thread... please...pretty please...
Okay,
here is the fist part. I'll put it up in three sections. (A,B,& C.) I know, original...LOL
Unexpected Consequences
By Lisa Countryman
© December 2001
Disclaimer: I don't own any BtVS folks. Original characters are mine, all mine.
Pairing: W/T... eventually
Angst Rating: Highest rating... buy stock in Kleenex
Rating: PG 13 for adult themes and eventual W/T goodness.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR (A)
Caedo had followed Amy. He moved stealthily along the side of the surrounding buildings until he was a few feet from her. Whatever had destroyed Rack’s lair had left the smell of light based magic thick in the air, and Caedo wanted to leave. But he wanted something else more; he wanted Amy dead. He pounced, letting out a snarling growl as he landed on the rat.
Amy felt Caedo’s weight hit her and her face hit the cold pavement sending up a puff of the white ash that covered everything. She took in a gasp of air and coughed as the powdery dust filled her lungs. She was going to die; that much was sure. In the back of her mind, she knew she deserved whatever she got.
Caedo rolled Amy over and looked into her eyes. The two locked gazes as Caedo lifted one clawed paw and prepared to end Amy’s life.
"You like to attack helpless victims, don’t you?" Tara asked as she climbed over the lip of the crater. She was spotless, despite the ash covering everything within view. Even Amy and Caedo had picked up enough powdery residue to make them look like washed out photographs. Tara was spotless, and the contrast made her stand out like a beacon in the darkest night.
Amy squeaked, not really knowing why, but she thought that maybe Tara was angry enough with Caedo to distract him.
Caedo hissed, sensing the malice in the beautiful blonde’s eyes. He lowered his paw and looked down at Amy’s battered frame.
"Get away from her," Tara ordered. She was surging with power, and she could see things clearer than ever before. Amy’s aura was easily recognizable, but that might have been because Tara had known the witch longer as a rat than as a human. Caedo’s aura was black and his treachery was obvious in his shifting eyes.
He looked and Tara and then lifted his paw again to slash Amy’s throat. He never got the chance.
Tara leapt through the air. As her body left the ground she transformed into a tawny cougar. She landed a few feet from Amy and Caedo, but it was close enough. Tara swiped one massive paw through the air and sent Caedo flying. He hit the alley wall and Tara was on top of him in an instant. She let out an enraged roar that blew Caedo’s fur to one side and warmed his face. Her primal form allowed all of her grief and wrath over Brianna’s death to come bursting out in it’s purest, most raw form. Tara had become a mother lioness, and Caedo was the creature that had killed her precious, defenseless cub.
*****
"Call her back," Cassie told Willow. "Beg her, yell at her, threaten her, lie to her, just get her back." The seer stood next to Tara’s bed and pressed her palm to the unconscious young woman’s forehead. "Tara, get your ass back here, now."
"Why are you so scared?" Willow asked as she held Tara’s limp hand.
"I told you to call her back," Cassie said abruptly. "Do it!"
"Tara, come on, baby." Willow leaned over her lover and whispered in her ear. "I need you to wake up. Come on, Tara. Wake up."
"She’s dumping mystical power. It’s running out like someone opened a damned floodgate, " Cassie said as she moved to the monitor next to the bed. "Her heart rate is slowing and her BP’s dropping." She looked toward the door and sighed. "Damn it, Diana, hurry."
"Tara, you listen to me, wake up," Willow ordered harshly. "Open your eyes. Damn it, Tara, do it!" She took a deep breath and hoped Tara would forgive her. "Tara, come back right now. I can’t live without you."
Cassie lifted her head and stared at Willow. She looked back down at Tara’s monitor, but nothing had changed. In fact, the blonde witch’s BP was still dropping.
The door swung inward and Diana pushed into the room. "Cass?" The doctor headed straight for her partner. "What’s wrong, sweetie?"
"Tara’s essence isn’t here," Cassie explained rapidly. "She’s connected, so it’s not like before, but goddess help her, she’s losing energy faster than I’ve ever seen."
"How bad is it?" Willow asked. She was massaging the back of Tara’s neck with her fingers. The blonde loved the tender affection and Willow would often wake Tara up using that method.
"I can literally see her reserves draining," Cassie said. "It’s like trying to launch the space shuttle using double A batteries. She just doesn’t have this kind of power to spare."
"What happens if she runs out of magic power?" Buffy asked from the doorway. "No more witchy powers for Tara?"
Cassie locked Buffy in her gaze. "She dies."
*****
Caedo looked up into Tara’s snarling jaws. His body shook violently as he stared at her glistening, two inch white fangs. He knew she could bite him in half with one snap of her powerful jaws, and one glance at the unbridled rage in her eyes made it very clear she wanted to do just that.
Every muscle in Tara’s body ached to tear Caedo into tiny pieces. It would be so easy. Her claws were razor sharp and ready to strike, and her fangs would sink into Caedo’s tender flesh with ease. She could make him suffer, she could make him pay, but then she heard Willow’s voice in the back of her mind.
‘I can’t live without you,’ Willow’s voice echo through her mind and the words calmed Tara’s soul. She pressed her golden paw on Caedo’s chest and flexed her claws. Her thick talons broke the skin of his chest even through his dense fur.
He mewed in pain and tried to bite her paw, but his tiny mouth was ineffective against her might.
Tara looked down at his black nose and white whiskers and thought of Miss Kitty. She couldn’t kill such a helpless creature. She growled and moved away from him and lifted her massive head toward him.
His cat body shimmered and then morphed back into his naked human form.
"You’re a sentimental fool," Caedo said as he backed away from Tara. "What? You couldn’t kill a cute little kitty?" He shoved his fist at her and sent a flash of fire at her.
Tara growled and the flame bounced back as if it had hit an unseen barrier. She crouched and lowered her head. Her ears flattened against her head and a low, rumbling growl vibrated in her throat.
"Fine." Caedo raised his hands in surrender. "Can’t hurt the big bad lion." He glanced over at Amy. The rat had managed to crawl a few feet, but she was losing blood quickly. "I can still kill the rat." He pointed his bloodied hand at Amy.
Tara pounced, uncurling to her full, deadly length. Her huge fangs caught Caedo at the base of the skull and her massive muscles drove him to the ground. She heard the sickening crunch as her incisors severed his spinal cord. She lifted her head, and dragged his body to the edge of the alley and dropped him.
Amy decided she wasn’t going to wait around and watch Tara devour Caedo, no matter how much appeal the idea had. She limped as quickly as she could toward the street.
Tara was still in her primal form, and that left her thoughts instinctual and vicious. She looked over to where Amy was crawling away and the predator in her mingled with the memories of Amy’s binding spell. Tara growled as she galloped after the injured rat. Tara’s mind saw the spilled blood coating Amy’s matted fur, and she remembered being helpless after Amy’s spell. That helplessness had allowed Caedo free rein, and that had cost Tara her beloved Brianna.
Amy felt the ground shake as Tara made the last few steps, and the rat knew she wouldn’t escape. She also knew she didn’t deserve to get away. She slumped to the ground and rolled over, baring her soft underbelly to Tara.
Tara roared. Her pain and anger reverberated as she arched her neck and let her emotions flood into the primal cries. It felt good to release the pain into something so instinctual, and then that instinct focused on the prey at her feet.
Amy saw the hatred in Tara’s eyes. ‘Okay, the cat is dead and now the bigger, meaner, scarier cat is going to eat me,’ Amy thought. ‘Out of the frying pan, into the even bigger frying pan.’ She flopped onto her side and took a few shallow breaths. ‘Fine, kill me, maim me, whatever, just do it in my warm cage.’
Tara pressed her paw onto Amy’s chest and pinned her to the cold, wet pavement. She studied the rat. Amy’s treachery had left Tara vulnerable, and that had cost Brianna’s life.
Amy squeaked and closed her beady eyes, resigned to her fate. The cold asphalt was rough against her back and bits of gravel ground into her wounds.
No matter how angry Tara was, she could recognize a victim when she saw one. Amy was a junkie, a pawn in Rack’s game. Amy had also broken the binding spell in time for Tara to perform the refero spell. That act had insured Brianna’s return. Tara snarled, bearing her fangs and then she growled.
Amy let out a startled wheeze and then her body suddenly felt warm. She watched as Tara changed from a cougar to her natural form. It wasn’t until the pressure from Tara’s hips on her legs registered that Amy realized she was also human again.
"Tara?" Amy asked timidly. "You aren’t gonna’ rip my throat out, are you?"
Tara stood and looked down at Amy. The dark-haired witch was naked, which allowed Tara to see the jagged tears in her skin as well as several deep punctures.
"I’m not gonna’ kill you, Amy," Tara said quietly. Her voice shook with pent up rage.
Amy shivered, now noticing that she wasn’t wearing any clothing. "Um, you’re not gonna’ go all lesbo on me are you? Cuz, well, I’m really not up for anything other than a ride to the hospital, and no offense, miss kick-ass-witch, but you’re really not my type."
"You need to leave Sunnydale," Tara said. "And you need to stay away from Willow."
"Well, being out of Sunnydale will make staying away from her a whole lot easier." Amy cringed as she sat up. "Ouch. Don’t suppose I could get that ride to the hospital before I skip town?"
"They’ll be coming," Tara looked down the alley. "They’ll take care of you."
"Who?" Amy followed Tara’s gaze and listened intently. "Oh," she said when she heard sirens in the distance. "Guess an earth shattering explosion draws some attention, even in Sunnydale." She looked over at Caedo. "I doubt he’ll last that long."
Tara walked over to the warlock. The blonde witch was still spotless, her outfit pristine, and even when she knelt in the ash next to Caedo, her jeans somehow remained clean. "You’re dying," Tara said casually.
His eyes narrowed. It was the only movement he could manage. His spine had been severed high enough to ensure that he couldn’t move his arms or his legs, and his breathing was slowing as the blood drained from the deep gashes on either side of his throat.
"You don’t have long." Tara reached over and pulled a discarded, grimy rag over his lower body. "If I were you, I’d ask the goddess for forgiveness." She stood and went back to Amy.
"If he were you, Willow would be a really crappy lesbian." Amy wheezed and pressed her hand to a gash on her ribcage. "What with him being a guy," Amy clarified. She saw that Tara was not amused. "And I’ll just be asking the ol’ goddess for forgiveness. How ‘bout that?"
"It’s over," Tara told Amy.
"I’m leaving town," Amy said as she hugged a newspaper to her body and leaned against the wall. "Right after I pass out." She closed her eyes and sighed.
"I meant your addiction," Tara said as she grabbed another scrap of rag and handed it to Amy. "You’re clean. I gave Rack your withdrawals." She saw Amy’s eyes shoot open. "You can walk away from dark magic. If you use it again, it’s because to chose to, not because you ‘have to.’ I’ve giving you what I wish I could have given Willow."
"Why didn’t you?" Amy asked.
"I didn’t know I could," Tara answered honestly. She closed her eyes and leaned against the wall next to Amy. Tara was exhausted, and she wondered how it was possible to feel like she was going to pass out when she knew her actual body was already unconscious.
"No offense, but you don’t look so hot." Amy studied Tara. "I mean, you’re all clean and spotless, but you look a little fuzzy.
Tara opened her eyes and gave Amy a curious glance.
"No, I mean literally." Amy waved her one good arm at Tara. "You’re kinda fuzzy around the edges."
Tara looked down at her hands and frowned. He body was indeed fading in and out, like a television with intermittent reception. She held her hand up near her face and gasped when she realized she could see through her palm.
*****
END 24A
by Lisa of Nine » Sat Feb 02, 2002 9:08 pm
*****
"What’s going on?" Buffy asked. She didn’t like mysteries, and right now, everything about Tara’s condition was a mystery.
Diana held her clear crystal over Tara’s forehead and frowned. She didn’t like what she saw. The crystal flickered with white light, and each flicker was dimmer than the last. Tara was losing power with each passing second.
"What happens when it goes dark?" Willow asked. She voice shook because her heart already knew the answer.
Diana looked up and caught Willow’s eyes. The doctor’s expression said what Willow’s heart already knew.
"No," Willow whispered, willing it to be an awful nightmare.
"When did you last cast?" Cassie asked as she kept her hands pressed to Tara’s brow.
"I haven’t used dark magic. I swear. Is that why she’s sick?" Willow’s mind raced. "Maybe Amy’s spell…"
"Calm down, Willow." Diana interrupted before the redhead could launch into full-scale babble. "We need to know if you can still cast light based spells, not dark magic."
"I, I don’t know." Willow’s forehead crinkled as she considered the question. She hadn’t really cast any light based spells since long before Tara had left her. "I can’t remember. Is it important?" she asked earnestly. "I’ll try, if she needs me. I’ll try anything."
"The other day when she was spotting, you’d been together, right?" Diana asked. "Did you cast during…"
"Yes! I levitated big time!" Willow nodded. "I practically hit my head on the restroom ceiling." She nodded excitedly.
Buffy slowly turned and studied Willow. One eyebrow rose high onto the Slayer’s forehead. "Restroom?" she asked as she suddenly remembered the two witches taking an incredibly long restroom trip at the co-op deli.
"Tease me later, Buffy." Willow was too worried to blush. She gave Cassie and Diana her full attention. "Why?"
"Tara’s energy levels are almost depleted," Diana explained. "She left her body, and I have no idea why she’d do that, but if she doesn’t get back soon, she won’t have the energy to come back at all."
"And if she doesn’t get back, her body dies," Buffy correctly guessed.
Cassie nodded grimly.
"What do I have to do?" Willow asked.
"You have to give her your energy while you guide her back," Cassie said. "Her link with her body is fading. She’s lost focus. Whatever she’s doing, wherever she is, she’s not thinking about her body."
"Oh goddess, I can’t make her leave Brianna again," Willow whispered. She couldn’t imagine seeing the same raw pain in Tara’s eyes again.
"She’s not on the mystic plane," Cassie said. "She’s on this plane…" The seer paused, not quite sure how Willow would take the next bit of information. "I think she’s projecting."
"But you said you’ve never seen this before," Willow said angrily. She pointed at Tara’s prone form and waved her hand. "Projecting is a common spell. I’ve done it; hell, even Buffy’s done it. It’s not a big mystery deal."
"I’ve never seen someone project a solid form," Cassie said bluntly. "There’s a silver cord leaving Tara’s body, like typical projection, but this cord is thick and pulsating with incredible power, power that’s draining from Tara’s body as we speak."
"She’s in a mystic battle," Buffy said as she stepped closer to the bed. "I read about it. Mages, they can project a solid body, it’s called manifestation. They send themselves to do battle. That book I read explained that the body provides the energy, and the spirit keeps it focused. If the mage runs out of energy or loses focus, she’ll die."
"Tara’s not a mage," Willow insisted. "No. Mages fight demons and face evil and, and, well, no. It’s dangerous, and no. I won’t let her be a mage." She crossed her arms stubbornly over her chest. "No. I forbid it. Tara is not a mage."
"Yeah, that’ll work." Buffy said under her breath. "I shoulda’ tried that when those damn Watchers told be the whole destiny deal…"
"We should hurry," Cassie said as she continued studying Tara’s aura. "She’s losing the link, and if that happens, Willow won’t be able to help her."
"What should I do?" Willow asked as she caressed Tara’s hand.
Diana looked over at Buffy and nodded toward the door. "We need privacy for this. It should only be priestesses and family."
"Buffy is family," Willow said firmly. "She stays."
"Whatever you need," Buffy swore. She moved behind Willow and rested both hands on her best friend’s shoulders. "I’m right here."
"Okay," Diana said. She looked at her partner. "Let’s do it."
"Buffy, you keep your hands right where they are. Send your love and support to Willow." Cassie began drawing down power from the divine. She held her palms toward the ceiling and hummed as she focused her own essence.
"Willow-lovin,’ Got it." Buffy nodded. "The platonic kind, right?"
Willow’s head whipped around in shock. "You got any other Willow-lovin’ floatin’ around that I should know about?"
"No!" Buffy blushed. "Just clarifying."
"Just send your love," Cassie said with a shake of her head. "Family feelings."
"Got it." Buffy squeezed Willow’s shoulders and pointed her toward Tara.
"What do I do?" Willow asked. She studied her silent lover and her chest clenched. Tara looked like she was sleeping, and Willow wanted nothing more than to awake her with a kiss. ‘My sleeping beauty,’ she thought despondently.
"Tell her what she means to you," Diana whispered. "Put your hands here on her temples, and tell her what she is to you." The doctor guided Willow’s fingers onto Tara’s temples. "Focus on the love you share, send that love to her."
"Is it that simple?" Willow asked. She edged closer and looked down into Tara’s regal face.
"Pretty much," Cassie said quietly. She took a handful of herbs and sprinkled them over Tara’s prone form. "The rest is up to her."
"She’ll hear me?" Willow nervously ran her fingers through Tara’s hair.
"These herbs will help connect the two of you." Cassie sprinkled some of the herbs in Willow’s hair and over her back. "Plus they’ll help put your mind in sync with hers."
"You can do this, Will," Buffy said as she squeezed the redhead’s shoulders. "You love getting all mushy about your wicca-gal."
Willow nodded and focused on her lover. "Tara, honey you have to come back. You’re my Tara, my everything."
"Let your heart call hers." Diana tugged Tara’s gown down and lifted the protective amulet into view.
"Baby, I love you," Willow whispered intensely. She inhaled sharply as she felt a tugging deep in her belly. She watched as a white tendril of light her chest and entered Tara’s. She leaned down and pressed her lips to Tara temple, wanting some things to be for her lover’s ears only. "Tara, I never knew what it meant to be in love until you taught me. Don’t leave me alone, baby. I can’t do this alone. I’m not strong enough." She voice broke as tears ran down her cheeks. "Please don’t make me live without you."
Buffy took a step back. She could hear the heartbreak in Willow’s voice and each word felt like a stake through her heart. She thought about losing Angel, but then she realized, she’d moved on without him and survived. She looked down at Willow. The redhead looked tiny and fragile without Tara at her side. The tiny strand of light intensified as Willow gave herself to Tara; she would do anything to bring the blonde back.
"Tara, you have to come back," Buffy whispered. "You just found each other again."
"Come back," Willow pleaded. She sent her love to Tara in warm waves of energy. "Tara, if you don’t come back, what will Brianna do?" She pressed her lips to her beloved’s ear. "Listen to my voice and follow it back. Find me," she begged. "Find me," she repeated, this time an order. The link to Tara flashed brightly like signal flare, and Willow lost her balance and had to grab the side of the bed with one hand to stop from falling to the floor. "Feel me, baby, and follow me back." Another flash of energy left Willow and into her fallen lover. She pressed her forehead on Tara’s wrist and sobbed. "Don’t leave me, Tara, not again."
‘Oh, god,’ Buffy thought. ‘I could lose them both.’ She steadied the shaken redhead and held her up until Diana slid a chair over her for. ‘Tara, come back. She needs you like she needs air.’ She shivered, realizing how true that was. Willow could no more live without Tara than she could live without oxygen.
*****
Amy watched Tara’s body become translucent. "Wow, that’s some trick," the former rat complimented.
Tara held both hands out and stared at them. She was disappearing and her mind was clouding.
"You fought Rack and Caedo and didn’t even blink." Amy sat with her back against the alley wall. She was as exhausted as Tara felt. "Why the vanishing act now?"
"I’m done here," Tara said hollowly. She looked at her ash-dusted surroundings and frowned. "There’s no reason to stay." She relaxed, finally letting go of the focus she’d been holding. It felt good to stop fighting. She felt like she was rising into the air, becoming one with the air.
"Okay, that is not good." Amy frowned as she watched Tara slowly levitate even as her body disappeared. "Speaking of not good…" She looked down at her bloody wounds. She turned toward the end of the alley and sighed. She could hear the sirens getting closer. "Hurry up," she said grumpily. "Just my luck." She rubbed her face with her one good hand. It was a nervous habit, and it made her look even more the rat she used to be. "Tara decided not to kill me, and now I’m gonna’ bleed to death before I can leave town."
*****
Tara drifted. She had no body, no physical sensations, and most of all, no pain. She was energy, and it felt more extraordinary than anything she’d ever imagined. She thought about Brianna, and instantly felt herself drawn off in one direction. She could feel her daughter, and she knew if she could only hold on a bit longer, she’d be with her baby.
A sharp pan flashed through Tara’s essence and she stopped. She felt Willow. She’d recognize her lover’s essence anywhere, and right now, her lover was in pain.
‘Please don’t make me live without you.’ Willow’s words echoed through Tara’s essence.
The call to find Brianna was strong, but Willow’s call beckoned Tara in the opposite direction. The pain intensified, Willow’s pain. Suddenly all that mattered was going to Willow, finding her, making her anguish stop. She felt other words, but couldn’t make most of them out and then Willow’s thoughts crashed down on Tara.
‘Find me,’ Willow’s thoughts washed through Tara.
‘Willow?’ Tara wanted to go to her lover. It hurt not to be moving toward Willow, but Tara didn’t know how to get to her lover.
‘Feel me, baby, and follow me back,’ Willow’s presence was distant, but Tara could feel the love and strength flowing toward her.
‘I’ll find you,’ Tara promised. ‘I’ll always find you.’ She focused on her love for Willow and suddenly she was soaring through eternity toward her lover. She moved faster than thought, but as she neared Willow, she struggled to find her. ‘Oh, goddess, Willow, help me.’ Tara realized she wasn’t quite sure how to get back to her body.
*****
END Chapter 24(B)
by Lisa of Nine » Sat Feb 02, 2002 9:11 pm
Unexpected Consequences CHAPTER 24 (C)
Same warning as before:
*****
"Cass?" Diana went to her lover’s side and rested a hand on her shoulder. "Can she handle this?" the doctor whispered as she nodded toward Willow.
"She doesn’t have Tara’s power," Cassie admitted quietly. She was watching as Willow sent a steady stream of energy into Tara’s body. Most of that energy was quickly draining through the mystic cord that rose from Tara’s body and disappeared through the ceiling and out to wherever Tara’s essence currently was.
"You can do this," Buffy whispered. She wondered if it was a lie. She wanted it to be true, and for the moment that was enough. "Get your girl back, Willow." She focused, trying to give Willow some of her own strength. The hardest part for the Slayer was knowing that her own superhuman strength meant nothing in this particular battle. On this battlefield, Willow was the strong one.
Willow lifted her face with considerable effort. She squeezed Tara’s hand and trembled. "Tara, you have to find me. I can’t come find you this time." She squeezed her eyes tightly shut as fresh tears flowed. "I don’t know how," she admitted. It broke her heart. Willow had sworn to always find Tara, and now she had failed her.
A tiny flicker of electricity hummed from Tara’s hand to Willow’s. It was so minute Willow almost didn’t register what had happened until the brief shock reminded her of the first time she and Tara held hands. It was a muted version of what happened every time she and her lover touched, a recognition between mated souls.
"Tara!" Willow’s second wind kicked in. "She’s here."
"Cass?" Diana asked hopefully.
The seer studied Tara. She had to calm her own frazzled nerves because her fears were clouding her visions. After a moment, she relaxed enough to see that Tara’s essence was back. Unfortunately, it was very weak.
"Baby?" Willow caressed Tara’s cheek. "I’m here, darling. You found me." She was crying harder now, but mingled with the fear fueled tears were a few hopeful ones as well.
"Will?" Tara asked in a barely audible, hoarse whisper. She was too exhausted to even open her eyes.
"Oh, Tara." Willow kissed her lover’s cheek, then her temple, and then her pressed her lips to Tara’s forehead. "I’m here, love."
"Willow…" Tara groaned as she turned her head toward her partner.
"Shh, I’m here." Willow’s throat ached as gratitude flooded her. "Rest. I’m not going anywhere." She kissed Tara’s temple again. "Just don’t go anywhere. Stay with me."
"Will," Tara coughed as she struggled to open her eyes, but somehow it was beyond her ability. "You’re safe," she whispered. "I made sure," the blonde mumbled.
"What is she talking about?" Buffy asked.
"I think you were right," Diana said as she guided Buffy away from the bed so Willow could have some privacy with her lover.
"She’s been in a battle," Cassie agreed. "She was protecting Willow."
"Rack…" Buffy leaned around Diana and stared at Tara. The blonde looked frail and weak, and Buffy couldn’t imagine her facing the warlock, and certainly not facing him alone.
Tara’s eyes fluttered open. Her gaze darted side to side before resting on Willow. "I found you," she whispered.
"Yeah, you did." Willow smiled and squeezed Tara’s hand.
"Come on. Let’s leave them to talk." Diana led Buffy and Cassie from the room.
*****
Diana, Cassie, and Buffy went to the cafeteria to find the others. Anya and Xander were sharing a milkshake while Giles sat with Dawn and helped her with her homework. The young teen was thrilled to have his help with her English homework, deciding that having a ‘native speaker’ had to be a big plus. Giles resisted the urge to point out that Dawn was a native speaker as well.
Anya jumped to her feet as soon as she saw Buffy. "How is she?"
"Tara’s fine." Buffy smiled and sat next to Dawn. "She’s back from her little journey and Willow is taking care of her right now."
"In the hospital room?" Anya smiled seductively. "Wow, didn’t think the witches went for the public sex thing."
"I doubt Tara’s up to that at the moment," Diana pointed out.
"She’s taking care of her other needs," Cassie added.
"Oh…" Confused covered Anya’s face. "What other needs?"
"There are other pressing needs." Giles looked up from Dawn’s essay. "Emotional needs, offering comfort and such."
"Yeah, and Tara is way too shy for anything else," Xander chimed in.
Buffy blushed as she remembered what the witches had apparently done at the deli.
"What?" Anya asked. Her keen eyes caught Buffy’s reaction and she had her own unique radar when it came to all things sexual. "What do you know?"
"Not the time or the place to discuss this," Buffy looked over at Dawn.
"Like I don’t know these things." Dawn rolled her eyes. "The book, remember?" she asked her sister. "I know what they do."
"Book?" Anya’s eyes lit up. "There’s a book about Willow and Tara and I haven’t seen it? Why wasn’t I informed?"
"Oh, dear lord." Giles stood and pulled off his glasses and began frantically cleaning them.
A young nurse hurried up to the table and interrupted. "Doctor White, we’ve got a report of a building collapse across town. We’re asking all physicians to be on standby."
"Of course," Diana said. She looked at her partner. "Cass?"
"Let’s go," Cassie hurried over to the nurse. "Do they know what happened?"
"Some kind of explosion," the nurse replied. "They think it might have been a drug lab. An entire half block of abandon buildings was destroyed."
"Was anyone hurt?" Buffy asked. She sometimes forgot that non-hellmouth tragedies occurred in Sunnydale.
"We don’t know, but the destruction is pretty severe." The nurse spun and hurried toward the ER.
"I need to go lend a hand," Diana said apologetically.
"Yes, of course, go." Giles shooed her away. "We’ll monitor Tara’s progress."
"Page me if you need me," Cassie said as they hurried away.
"Maybe you should slay drug dealers," Anya suggested.
"I don’t think this particular case requires Buffy’s services." Giles watched his two friends leave. "Besides, I’m certain the police will handle whatever they find."
*****
The ambulance bay was a flurry of activity. The doctors and nurses had everything set up for multiple casualties. They’d received reports of a huge explosion that had leveled several buildings. The first ambulance rolled up and several doctors rushed forward as the doors opened.
"What to do we have?" the lead trauma doctor asked as he helped pull the stretcher out of the ambulance.
"One patient, multiple lacerations and puncture wounds," the EMT said as he helped guide Amy out of the rig. "BP’s stable, good breath sounds, and no loss of consciousness." He shot Amy an angry glare. "Unfortunately," he added in a harsh whisper.
"Hey, this really hurts," Amy whined. "Can someone give me something for the pain here?" She grabbed the doctor with her good hand. "Hello? Pain? I need some drugs."
Cassie grabbed Diana’s arm and nodded at Amy. She could see the dark magic lingering around her as well as bits of astral injuries cause by light based magic. "Diana, she’s…"
"I feel it," Diana whispered. Magic was pouring off Amy in waves. Diana moved closer. "Any more victims in route?" she asked the EMT.
"We found one DOA, but other than him, she’s it." The EMT pushed the stretcher toward the main entrance. "And she’s banged up, but nothing too serious."
"Hey, did you see the stab wounds, pal?" Amy yelled. She winced and began coughing. "See?" she whined. "I can’t even yell without nearly dying."
"Want me to take her?" Diana asked the head physician.
"Sure," he said with a look of thanks. He was happy to be rid of the complaining woman. "Do a full blood panel," he suggested as he stepped aside and let Diana take Amy. He raised an eyebrow as he nodded toward her filthy condition. "And get her some clothes."
"And pain medication," Amy complained. She shifted to one side and tried to rub her butt. "My poor tail," she whined.
"I’ll take care of her." Diana hurried alongside Amy as they entered the hospital.
Cassie went to the opposite side of the stretcher and studied Amy. As soon as the EMT settled Amy onto an exam table and left, the seer pinned Amy in her gaze.
"What were you messing with?" Cassie demanded without any preamble.
"Look, I don’t do drugs." Amy rolled her eyes and sighed. She winced as Diana began poking the deep shoulder wound in her shoulder. "Ouch! A little warning would be nice." She groaned. "Okay, ouch. Still waiting on my medication."
"What kind of magic were you messing with," Cassie asked her bluntly.
Amy froze like a rat cornered by a cat, which given recent events, she knew a great deal about.
"You reek of dark magic, so don’t even try to lie to me," Cassie said.
"Demon?" Diana asked as she pointed at the claw marks down Amy’s arm.
"Cat," Amy replied as she settled back into the bed.
Diana raised both eyebrows skeptically.
"A big cat," Amy corrected. "Well, not so big, but I was a lot smaller." She frowned. "And it bit my tail off. Can I have some drugs? This really stings."
"Maybe we should do a drug panel," Cassie suggested as she stared at Amy.
"I got turned into a rat." Amy glared at Cassie. "Then I had a run in with a cat."
"Was he wearing a hat?" Diana suggested with a smirk.
"Very funny." Amy closed her eyes and sighed. "Aren’t you supposed to be doctoring me?"
"Yeah," Diana relented. "You’re gonna’ need a lot of stitches. Most of these cuts aren’t too deep, but they need to be cleaned and then stitched so you don’t scar as badly." She lifted Amy’s arm as she prodded the deepest puncture wound. "This one may have torn some muscles around the joint. We’ll need some x-rays to rule out any damage to the bone and maybe an MRI to check the soft tissue."
Amy nodded and looked almost bored. "So, are you doctor too?" she asked Cassie. "And how the hell do you two know about magic?"
"I’m an x-ray and ultrasound specialist," Cassie explained. "Doctor White is an OB/GYN."
"Whoa!" Amy sat up and tugged her gown higher. "I didn’t get bit down there. Shouldn’t I have a doctor that knows how to treat the outside of the body?"
"I’m a fully trained physician," Diana said as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I’m probably the only doctor in this hospital that knows what you are."
"And what is that?" Amy asked snidely.
"Cass?" Diana asked her lover.
"A witch," Cassie said as she studied Amy’s darkened aura. "You’ve been playing with dark magic, and you like it."
"Oh," Amy said and then swallowed with a loud gulp.
"So, what happened out there?" Diana asked. "They said a drug lab exploded. I can’t really see you needing street drugs." She carefully cleaned the deep wound on Amy’s shoulder.
"Let’s just say I won’t be sticking around town after you patch me up," Amy answered.
"Someone after you?" Cassie asked. She went to a nearby cabinet and took out a few suture trays for Diana.
"Not as long as I leave." Amy sighed.
"This is a local anesthetic. It might sting," Diana warned as she rolled Amy to one side to work on her upper back where her ribs were slashed.
"Sting my ass." Amy cringed as Diana gave her the shot. "That hurts like hell."
"What happened to the building?" Cassie asked.
"I’m not exactly sure," Amy said honestly. "I’ve never seen that kind of power." She wiggled her head until she was comfortable against the pillow and then covered her eyes with one arm as Diana continued working on then other side. "Never thought Tara had it in her," she said with a yawn.
Diana’s hand froze mid stitch. She looked over at Cassie and they exchanged worried glances.
"What?" Amy asked, sensing the change in mood. She opened her eyes and tried to look behind her. "I don’t have a tail still, do I?"
"You’re name’s Amy isn’t it?" Cassie asked coldly.
"Yep." Amy yawned. "You a psychic?
"As soon as I finish cleaning you up, you’ll need a new doctor," Diana said as she cut the suture and began another.
"What?" She twisted her head so she could see Diana. "Where am I gonna’ get another doctor who won’t think I’m nuts talking about magic?"
"Your bigger concern is whether or not you want to trust your life to Tara’s doctor," Diana said honestly. She snipped the suture and began another.
"Wha—" Amy sighed and relaxed into the pillows. "Great. Just how many other ways can my night suck?"
"I could have Willow pay you a visit," Diana said pointedly. "I think she’d like a word with you."
"I saved Tara’s ass," Amy whined. "She’d be dead if I hadn’t removed that binding spell."
"Which you put on her," Cassie said in a growl. "That’s one of the worst things a one witch can do to another. It’s a violation."
"Maybe another doctor would be a good idea," Amy said with a forlorn sigh. "I really don’t need a lecture."
"Why don’t you just go back to Rack?" Diana asked sarcastically.
"Well, duh," Amy said as she looked at Diana like she was an idiot. "Tara killed him."
"I think you’d better tell me everything happened." Diana finished the last stitch on Amy’s back and moved around so she could work on her arm.
"Well, first I got turned into a rat … again," Amy began.
"By Tara?" Cassie asked with a smirk.
"No." Amy rolled her eyes. "By Rack, before Tara killed him and destroyed half the block."
Cassie moved over and rested a hand on Diana’s back as Amy related the rest of the story. It took a while, and Amy didn’t have many details about Rack’s destruction, but it was enough for Cassie and Diana to realize that Tara had harnessed incredible power, power that should have destroyed her when she killed Rack. Neither knew how or why Tara had survived, and then possibilities worried them. Tara had apparently survived a mystic battle of epic proportions, and Diana wanted to know how.
As soon as Amy was transferred to a room upstairs, Diana and Cassie called to check on Tara’ She was doing fine, so the two older witches decided to investigate. They drove across town to the explosion site and used their medical identification to get past the police barriers and into the worst area of destruction.
"Sweet goddess," Cassie said as they surveyed the damage. The damage was incredible. Windows were broken out, bricks broken loose, and tiles blown off of roofs a few streets away from the worst of damage. As they rounded the corner and saw the debris field, Cassie’s legs went weak.
"Cass?" Diana steadied her lover.
"Oh, goddess," Cassie stared slack jawed at the sphere-shaped area that had been completely pulverized. "No…" she whispered.
"What is it, honey?" Diana asked as she continued looking at the damage.
"Tara’s not a mage," Cassie whispered. "Sweet goddess, help us, She’s so much more." She hugged Diana and pressed her face onto her lover’s shoulder and quietly sobbed.
***** End chapter 24
by Kalita » Sat Feb 02, 2002 9:20 pm
Great stuff, I'm still reeling...
by Kendahl897 » Sat Feb 02, 2002 9:32 pm
by Mini-ALF » Sat Feb 02, 2002 9:53 pm
Michelle
by Kiwiccan » Sat Feb 02, 2002 9:58 pm
Thank you for posting another chapter Lisa.
I just bought a new box of tissues.
I re-discovered it's very hard reading while you have tears in your eyes and your nose is running.
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Paula
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May the Amber Force be with you.
Keeper of my own insanity
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