hello

that is very interesting, and kind of funny... even if I feel a bit bad for Willow... it may be depressing to be a ghost.
I can't wait to see where you go...

thanks

Julia

_________________
Broken Dolls |The Stadium's Goddesses | Seeds Of Beauty

"Joie est mon caractère, C'est la faute à Voltaire; Misère est mon trousseau, C'est la faute à Rousseau." Gavroche. Victor Hugo, Les Misérables (chap. XV)

With Willow as a ghost crushing on and following Tara around, it's like the relationship in "Hex" with Cassie and Thema only Tara can't see Willow.
Willow really does need to lay some ghostly smackdown upon the heinous putresence known as Becky.

_________________
I can deny chicks in chainmail nothing.
Amberhol-from the land of sky blue waters.
No Mere Music Hall, This my novel available directly from rosestindog@gmail.com.

hondos- Thanks, thanks, thanks.

spells42- You'll get to see a little of what Xander's up to in this chapter. I'm glad you're finding my story an entertaining read, and I don't want to give anything away about W/T goodness, but it's definitely gonna take a while to get there.

JustSkipIt- Hopefully I can make Hush creepy, without repeating what the episode already did.

JujuDeRoussie- Yeah, now that I've been thinking about what it would be like to be a ghost, it's not so cool anymore. I'm glad you're liking the story, though!

taralicious- I've never seen Hex, so I'll just have to take your word for it. And about Willow dealing with Becky-- I have a strong feeling she likes to hold grudges. Just look at the whole Xander/Stolen-Barbie grudge.


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


Title: First Touch
Author: theblew
Email: the_blew@yahoo.com
Ratings: Will fluctuate. There will be violence of the killing vampires/demons nature, adult language, and perhaps some steaminess if you're good. So be prepared for a default of the fic being rated R. I'll warn you when it's NC-17.
Pairing: W/T
Distribution: It's all yours. Just tell me where it's goin'.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon. I don't own anything affiliated with Judge Judy, either.
Spoilers: Up through season 4.
Summary: The aftermath and what would happen if the episode 'Halloween' ended a little differently.
Angst: Yes. You know you love it.

NOTE!!!: Thoughts in italics. Mouthed words in brackets, such as: ["..."]. Written words in bold.


**************************************
First Touch
Chapter Five: Helpless
**************************************



Tara awoke the next morning, made some cereal, and headed to her 9 o'clock class. It was a basic math class that went over theories of logic in arithmetic. It was also one of the lowest math classes the University of California: Sunnydale offered for her general education requirements. She wasn't very good at math, but she had to admit, this class was a little fun in a daily-newspaper-puzzle kind of way.

She clutched her books to her chest, walked the campus with a pair of small headphones in her delicate ears, and didn't pay too much attention to those around her. She knew that listening to music would cut her off from her peers, but after yesterday afternoon she didn't really feel up to conversing with anyone, anytime soon. She reached the math building and made her way inside. When she reached her classroom she pulled off her earphones and pulled at the door handle. It moved a few millimeters but thudded loudly against its frame.

That was when she noticed the silence.

She looked down the hall both ways and couldn't find anyone in sight. She then looked through the window of the door and saw that the lights were off. Next to the skinny window on the wood was a piece of paper with typed instructions.

All UCS classes cancelled due to epidemic-

Tara sharply retracted her hand from the doorknob and looked at her palm for any sign of bacterial disease. She looked back at the sign.

-until further notice.

["That's strange."]

She tried to clear her throat, but even the sound of that was absent. That's stranger! Her hand crept over the soft skin of her throat, and she soundlessly coughed.

She looked back up to the sign on the door with a confused expression. Alright, then. She turned on her heals with her eyebrows scrunched, and made her way back outside from the building.

***

It took Willow and Faith a little longer to realize something peculiar was occurring in their town. That morning, Faith was passed out on the couch and Willow was still in sleep-mode inside her bedroom. Willow would have stayed asleep, but the constant ringing of a cellular telephone pushed Willow's dreams of dancing Pop-Tarts away. Her eyes opened with a few silent blinks. She got up and went out into the living room. There on the table sat a buzzing blue phone that screamed for attention. Barely a foot away from it lay Faith's head. How can she sleep through that?

It stopped ringing its jingle, and paused near the edge of the coffee table closest to the couch. Willow walked over to look at its screen.

Eight Missed Calls

She looked at the VCR for the time. 12:00...12:00...12:00... That wouldn't help. She turned to go look at a real clock in the kitchen, but the small piece of plastic on the table started to buzz and move again.

It only took a few seconds of rattling on the table's edge until it fell off completely and strayed under the couch. Willow rolled her eyes, and kneeled next to Faith. She positioned her mouth closely to Faith's ear. Let's she if she can sleep through this. She smiled evilly and sucked in a large breath.

"..."

She tried again.

"...," and, "..."

I've gone deaf!

She threw that theory out the window once she heard the muffled sound of the cell phone's ring-tone charming from underneath the couch.

Willow looked back up at Faith and tried to wake her again with the sound of her voice. When that didn't work, she even tested her lack of voice back in her bedroom on the off chance that something strangely mystical was corrupting the living room. Is it just me? Is this a new ghosty feature?"

After a half-hour of telephone ringing and more limited testing, she thought about heading to the high school to look for Giles, but she sat defeated on a chair that faced the couch and waited for Faith to wake up.

***

When Willow and Faith arrived at Giles' apartment three hours later, they found him surrounded by books and papers filled with notes. Although Giles' apartment wasn't as tidy as it used to be, today it would have been extremely hard for Willow if she weren't a ghost to maneuver. Faith was only able to hop over piles which occupied any open spaces without slipping on random pages due to her Slayer stealth. The brunette bounded into the kitchen and started to raid Giles' fridge in order to prepare for the inevitable research that was about to take place.

Willow stood by Giles' desk and saw him flip a page of a spiral notebook. He pulled at the strands of paper that came out from the metal rings where paper had previously been torn. He spotted a pen and began to write, What took so long? I rang you for ages. Was there evil afoot?

He looked worried.

Willow shook her head, pointed towards the kitchen. She then mimicked a sleeping Faith by holding her hands together under her chin. She closed her eyes and tilted her head to the side.

["Oh,"] he nodded and turned towards Faith. She had her mouth full with an abnormally large sandwich. She took a bite so huge she couldn't close her mouth fully.

At Giles' disapproving glance she mouthed, ["Wha?"]

He shook his head and motioned her and Willow to join him and cleared all, but a few, of the books from the couch and coffee table. He sat down on one end of the couch and hunched over the table to rip pieces of scratch paper. Faith sat on the floor at the edge of the coffee table, nearest the kitchen and Giles. When he handed her a piece of paper, she gratefully accepted with a smile and set it down before her. She then proceeded to use it as a place-mat for her sandwich.

He clicked his tongue and swatted at her lunch with the back of his fingers. Faith picked up her sandwich with a scowl. He glared right back and mouthed, ["Use a plate!"]

She just rolled her eyes and laid her sandwich on a nearby stack of tomes. He was about to scold her again when an arm came into his peripheral vision on his left. He jerked away in a panic and a sharp intake of breath. He held his hand to his chest to calm his heart. He looked at Willow seated right beside him on the couch, and then back to the open space where she was previously at his desk. Without being able to feel Willow's weight on the couch cushions, or hear the sound of rustling fabric and her footsteps, it was understandable that he was startled by her presence.

She frowned and sat back.

He sheepishly smiled and looked to the notebook before him. Faith looked over and pointed to the poem she had recited from her dream that was scrawled on the page. Underlined was the word Gentlemen

He shrugged at them both, and Willow's face looked to Giles' worriedly.

Just then a loud knocking at the door sounded and startled all occupants of the room except for Faith. She stood up and went to the door. When she opened it, she let out a breathy sigh, rolled her head back and headed back inside with the door wide open. After a moment, Willow and Giles saw Buffy enter the apartment with a frantic jitter in her step. She crossed the room and bent to the coffee table to write. What is going on? Riley will not speak of what has happened to our town. Is it just a large case of aphonia?? her delicate handwriting scribbled hastily. Faith looked over Buffy's shoulder and mouthed the last word written.

She looked up to Willow, ["What the fuck is 'aphonia'!?"] Faith then gave a sideways glance towards the brunette holding the pen.

Giles had looked up at Faith during this, and took the pen from Buffy to add to her written question, Aphonia= Old medical term for Laryngitis. Faith gave a slight nod and sat back down on the opposite side of the table, facing the couch.

Giles continued to write, No, Buffy. We believe it is more a matter of something demonic or mystical revolving around the Hellmouth. She looked up at him, frightened. He returned her look with a reassuring expression and patted her arm. He then paused to think for a moment before he shifted his notes toward her. He used the end of his pen to point at the poem and let Buffy read.

Her eyes shifted with each line. It seemed like an unavailing idea to see if she had heard of the Gentlemen, that is, until she started to smile. The remaining trio noticed the shift and hoped it meant Buffy knew something useful. They also noticed when that smile stiffened and her whole body tensed. She motioned for the pen without looking up, and frantically wrote down, But this is a mere Fairy Tale, it mustn't be true?

Giles digested Buffy's words and then massaged his temples with one hand. ["Of course!"] With that, he stood up and went to a small bookshelf that sat below a large world map on the wall. It was covered in tacks and strings that zigzagged all over.

Willow turned in her seat and watched him reach for a thick book entitled, "Fairy Tales."

***

Two nights later, Willow was standing in her kitchen and looking at the door to the humming refrigerator.

On it was a proudly displayed hand-drawn picture.

Giles had refused to sign it no matter how many times Faith shoved it in his face. Willow only allowed Faith to display one of Giles' original works of 'art' in their shared apartment. Her amused eyes narrowed at the picture Faith chose to tape up at eye-level. It was a little cute if you looked at it in a totally morbid way. She quickly remembered the reality of their situation and shook her head sadly at the thought of the innocents that became victims of the Gentlemen the previous night. The cartoon, bald, demon was proudly displaying a bloody heart in the air for all to see as a body furiously bleed to death before him. I wonder what his childhood drawings looked like.

She quirked her lips together and headed out to the living room where Faith was fighting to find the arm of her leather jacket. Willow smiled as she watched her roommate turn circles.

Faith looked up at Willow and ignored her roommates amused grin. She reached for a piece of paper with words previously written. I'm gonna patrol. You can come if you want, or check around town for anything you feel is worth checking.

Willow was feeling extraordinarily useless within the past few days. She wasn't able to help Giles research the books and all her suggestions for solving the latest Hellmouth puzzle were turned down. She couldn't even begin to fathom that Buffy, of all people at this point in time, was more useful than herself- not that she was against Buffy helping. In fact, she was happily excited that Buffy stayed that day to help out.

It wasn't very often that Buffy participated in Slayer activites. She usually shied away, even when her and Faith tried to tempt her away from the lure of just being Riley's girlfriend.

But still, it was a frustrating few days for Willow. Not being able to talk narrowed her abilities greatly.

She looked at Faith's suggestions.

When she went out on patrol with Faith the night before, she ran into an old friend. It was her oldest friend, but he wasn't her friend anymore.

He had barely noticed her, but when he saw Faith, it clicked in. To him, she was just a difficult subject that got away, and with a dismissive glance he turned and went about his business controlling the non-speaking citizens of Sunnydale.

Willow had stood watching him walk away until Faith entered her line of vision and mouthed, ["Come on, Will,"] with a nod of her head.


----------

"Private Harris reporting, Sir," said a skinny young man in green army fatigues.

"Private Harris, your assistance is needed in controlling Subject 22," said a man dressed in a white lab coat. They were both in a large pit of the Initiative's main floor. It was where most lab experiments, general information gathering, and autopsies were performed.

With his chin up, Private Xander Harris glanced at a small redheaded girl that stood before him.

"My name's not 'Subject 22', it's Willow!" she yelled and looked pleadingly at the men. "Xander, tell them!"

Silence.

"I can't believe this- we helped you graduate high school just two months ago! Without us, you wouldn't even be here!!" she was shouting.

The scientist turned to her, "Subject 22, will you please control yourself, we have-"

"NO!" she stepped towards her best friend and lowered her voice, "Please, you gotta help him, Xand!"

"Permission to speak, Sir?"

"Yes Harris, permission granted. At ease, soldier."

He relaxed his body, but was still rigid when he looked toward Willow. "Subject 22, I am not permitted to interfere with the testing and studies of subjects and/or hostiles."

Willow's eyes grew and tears started to form in the bottom of her lids. "Please..." she whispered.

He continued, "The Initiative, and I included, will not allow a dangerous hostile to-"

"Please!!" she was begging.

Xander's eyes were cold and he lengthened his height to stand taller.

The man in the lab coat ordered more soldiers over to where Willow was standing next to a cage. The man barked, "Subject 22, you need to leave the premises now. There's nothing you can do. These men shall escort you to your destination.

They surrounded her and looked as intimidating as any gruff soldier could be. She numbly wiped at her teary eyes and with one last look at the cage behind her, walked straight through the dense group, up the pit, and to the stairs.

----------


Faith looked at Willow and pointed to both options on her paper with the point of a stake.

Willow looked back at the crumpled paper and pointed to the latter option. She'd rather just be alone tonight. She'd rather be invisible tonight.

Faith nodded, shoved her stake into the back of her pants, and turned off the lights around the apartment.

They sky was inky with patches of grey clouds that reflected the bright moonlight. Once the girls reached the street, they split up with a wave, and walked into the night to silently face whatever was to come.




**************************************
End Chapter Five

Interesting story so far. More update-y goodness sono please.

_________________
We few, we happy few. We band of buggered.

Posting While Nude Improves Your Mood.

This is definitely one of the most interesting stories I have read on this site. It is so different but so familiar, your characterization of Willow and the others in their “costumes” is really amazing. The humor is subtle, it helps to keep the story moving and relaxes the drama. Faith wanting Giles to sign the picture made me giggle. I’m looking forward to the development of the relationship between Willow and Tara and how you heal the others after they reverse the spell, if they do. I just had to say that this is already one of my favorites.

_________________
Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand:
Come and see my shinning palace built upon the sand!
-'Second Fig' by Millay

Yay! nother fast update! i'm really liking your take on Faith in this story. the humor that she's the cause of is so fiting, like the sandwhich and picture stuff . it's so the type of humor seen on the show, it fits really well in this story, and of course i can't wait to see how willow and tara bump into each other. more soon please!
~Bug
(::)0<

_________________
"They kill mice." - Tara

"And what? Go up to her and say:
'Hey your cute, wanna boink?' " - Me at MBLGTACC 2005

This is really interesting. I don't think I've seen another fic with a similar premise and I really like what you've done with it so far. I hope you keep updating relatively quickly.
-Anne

_________________
"She was confused by fruit."
-Kathryn Rosser, Sidestep Chronicle part 80

"Everybody knows you can conjure anything by the dark of the moon."
-Tori Amos, "Suede"

Everyone! And that includes you, Zampsa1975, and ellisande- Update is coming tonight!


Second Fig and WolfNightwind- Hey guys! I'm really trying to keep the same tones and atmosphere the actual show did. Also I'm trying not to rewrite the character's personalities, even if I'm dealing with completely new characters ie: this new Buffy and Xander. Also, this Faith is very different, but I do believe this is how it would have turned out if Buffy wasn't stealing the spotlight of Slayerdom coupled with the whole situation. I'm glad my brand of humor is working out well, too!

Fig, I'm happy I made it to your favorite list even before Willow and Tara have had a conversation! So, that's pretty awesome.

Well, Hush is here but no W/T yet. How will Tara go looking for Willow if she doesn't know about her yet? Will Willow kind of run into Tara and help her? I'm totally looking forward to this.

_________________
Menorah Tales | Working It Out | Random Bits

EVERYBODY!!!!!!

Okay, I know this is a bit late, but I wrote a lot more than I thought I would, tonight.

I know I said, just previously, that I want to keep the same tones as the show... but I went pretty dark with this chapter. (CHECK OUT THE NOTE) But I don't even know if I went too far or not. Maybe it's not that bad. Tell me what you think, please?

So, yeah. Whatever. Stop looking at me!

JustSkipIt- I hope it's ok. Right now, I'm in shrug mode.
***************************************************


Title: First Touch
Author: theblew
Email: the_blew@yahoo.com
Ratings: Will fluctuate. There will be violence of the killing vampires/demons nature, adult language, and perhaps some steaminess if you're good. So be prepared for a default of the fic being rated R. I'll warn you when it's NC-17.
Pairing: W/T
Distribution: It's all yours. Just tell me where it's goin'.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon. I don't own anything affiliated with Judge Judy, either.
Spoilers: Up through season 4.
Summary: The aftermath and what would happen if the episode 'Halloween' ended a little differently.
Angst: Yes. You know you love it.

EXTREME NOTE!!!:

There is a lot of violence in this chapter. There is also some strong imagery that could be compared to that of rape, although, the subject of rape is NOT A PART OF THIS CHAPTER and will never be a part of this story.

Thoughts in italics. Mouthed words in brackets, such as: ["..."].

**************************************
First Touch
Chapter SIx: Laundry Night
**************************************
On normal nights, Willow only allowed herself to be seen when she was being hunted or in low populated areas. But tonight, Willow didn't feel much need to be invisible. Sunnydale's streets were empty of people and it seemed even the demons were spending the night in.

The town's atmosphere was the complete opposite of the previous night's chaos. Since word got out that several brutal murders occurred around town the night before, the residents of Sunnydale thought it best to stay inside locked doors.

Well, this is useless.

Willow was almost to the end of her route and wasn't expecting to find any evidence to help defeat the Gentlemen on her tour around town, but she kept her eyes open, anyway. Her real motive for rambling around town until two in the morning was because she felt claustrophobic.

The constriction of her limited senses combined with being completely silent in all ways really started to get to her. It felt as if the image of her body was a vacuum that was sucking in the weight of everything and pinning her down. Although she couldn't feel the weight physically, the mental pressure had been building rapidly.

It wasn't often that Willow Rosenberg felt utterly useless. Even when she first became an apparition, she could still help out the group by giving input and researching. If it wasn't for her, Miss Calendar would have been mopped up with the rest of the zombie puddles within those first few weeks of her new ghostly presence.

So, Willow walked. She thought that maybe if she took a stroll, her thoughts would clear, but as time went on, she got more and more grumpy. It was kind of like extreme PMS, except without the excruciating cramps and overall ickiness. Ghosts don't menstruate. Now, that is something for Willow to be thankful for when grouching around.

She came to an intersection in the road and was now in the small shopping district of town. It wasn't much and was actually kind of nice if one could disregard the car wrecks, trash, and ominous alleys.

At least they finally shut off the fire hydrant's water main.

She turned down Main Street where the stores that lined the sidewalks were closed and dark. She went up to the large window of a trendy clothing boutique. There were three headless mannequins posing for, what Willow thought, a small social gathering.

She kept her eyes peeled to the outfits and backed up into the street. A light wind blew a shredded plastic bag across her path, and if she weren't bodiless, she would have stumbled.

When she was the perfect distance away, Willow looked at her reflection in the window. She was aligned with the first mannequin, and Willow tried to overlook her own outfit that casted back at her.

Sure, Willow's clothing had never been eye-worthy in the past, but within her most recent years, she had begun to appreciate fashion enormously. Hey, she was a girl and she liked to shop with the rest of them, no matter how much she liked computers and books! Besides, if someone else was only able to wear hooker couture from 1997 forever, they'd probably drool over today's fashions, too.

She'll never forget the look on Cordy's face, Senior year, when she asked to borrow some of Queen C's beloved fashion magazines.

Just as she had moved onto the second mannequin sporting a pale pink skirt, with a fancy button-down shirt and red scarf to match, Willow heard something in the silent streets.

What is that? Chains?

She turned her attention from the store and looked towards the movie theatre.

No, it's like a... belt buckle? A bunch of them.

The tinkling of metal cut through the air quicker than the heavy footsteps.

Willow picked up her pace and started to lightly jog toward the connection of streets. She could make out footsteps. A pair were becoming louder in a strong pulse, while the quieter ones were more scattered.

Willow ran towards the noises. She cut straight through a couple of parked cars and stepped onto the sidewalk. Her legs pumped and she went faster toward the edge of a long line of storefronts toward the bend of the L-shaped junction of streets.

Just as she got to the end of the long building, a flash of dark blue and yellow passed her vision.

Willow startled and felt like she had just avoided a head-on collision with a deer. She halted her steps, but was still bouncing on the balls of her feet when she turned her head to the right to catch sight of what passed.

It was a girl. She had been running at top speed and needed to turn because she had reached the dead end. Since the girl couldn't pivot quickly, she ran in a long arch that pushed her to the opposite sidewalk Willow was currently occupying.

Willow skipped back a few paces, before turning around and running towards the the girl. It was obvious she was terrified. Her blonde hair was flying all over the place every time she moved her head franticly to look behind her.

Man, that's a bad skirt to run in. It's nice though- I like the bottom. Oh, red boots! Willow shook her head to get fashion out of her mind. For crying out loud, stop it and help her, Cordelia! She mocked herself.

She ran a little ahead of the girl and over to the other side of the street. When she was close enough for the blonde to see her past her locks of hair, Willow franticly waved her arms to get her attention.

It worked.

She slowed to a stop, but more out of panic, than reassurance. She even held out her right arm a little to fend off whatever might come and took a few steps back from Willow.

Willow moved her hands to waist level to show she meant no harm. Once the blonde realized this, she looked up into green eyes.

Willow smiled at the sight of familiar, moonlit blue eyes that bore into her own, and waved the girl toward her, ["Come on!"]

When they both heard the sound of louder footsteps, they hurriedly ran together away from the impending danger.

Willow lead, as the girl followed a few steps behind. Willow then pointed to a skinny, dark space between two buildings. It was the opening of an alleyway, and they slowed down to enter it.

The ground was dry, but there were suspicious spots of wetness that dripped down brick walls and pooled on the blacktop.

Probably not the most fragrant place to hide. Willow guessed.

Willow lead the blonde girl to a small crack between two dumpsters and pointed. Without hesitation, the girl crouched between the large metal boxes and faced outwards.

She was breathing extremely hard, and Willow knelt before her. She waited for the girl to look up and then mouthed, ["Stay here."] Willow used her hands to emphasize her command, and then put a finger to her lips to signal Tara to hush.

Just when Willow started to stand back up, the blonde's hand reached for her, and nearly touched her. Willow crouched, again, but a little further away, before stating, ["I'll be fine"] The girl's worried face told her that she wasn't buying it.

Footsteps were becoming clearer with the sound of rattling metal.

Willow turned her attention to the entrance of the alley, and back to the the girl before repeating with big eyes, ["We'll be fine, I promise."]

The girl looked into Willow's gaze, and with a small nod, her boots crunched at gravel when she cowered in the dark recesses of the small space.

["Stay here,"] and with that, Willow took off back toward the entrance.

When she reached the light of the street, she turned her head to the left to see what was coming.

Her mouth opened in shock to see two bald men with dark eye sockets floating in black suits. They were surrounded by a group of gangling others in dirtied straight-jackets and were headed her way.

Okay, drama-club, let's see what you got. She crept out of the alley and walked toward them, as if she had no idea what was going on.

She walked back across the street with her head down, and towards the ruckus of demons. When she thought it was about time a normal person would act scared she looked up and tried to scream. She looked around frantically for an escape, and started to run back towards the movie theatre and away from the alley.

It was working.

The henchman noticed her, and the Gentlemen looked her way. Willow was disgusted by the group of straight jackets. They hopped around like the flying monkeys from the "Wizard of Oz," if the monkeys were suffering from scoliosis. Their heads were covered in bandages the color of human flesh.

She dodged their arms and tried to run away from them, but not too quickly. She didn't want to be so difficult they'd leave her behind.

The demons were swarming her, but she was somehow able to break free.

She looked up at the Gentlemen, who had in this time, turned to silently discuss whether or not she was a good candidate.

Willow noticed the protruding bones of her hands that pushed the pale, crepe paper skin to its limit. Dark blue veins bulged on their scalps and fingers. They nodded to each other with metallic smiles and turned their attention towards Willow.

Willow dramatically shook her head no, and started to run away. She was good at luring.

They started to follow.

She was finally helping.

She was useful.

When she turned her head back to the street that she first saw the blonde girl arrive from, Willow allowed herself to run faster and form a small smile...

...until she looked back over her shoulder and noticed one of the Gentlemen gesturing back toward the other direction. His open palm pointed toward the alley- toward the girl. Toward Tara!

A few of the shorter demons started to gallop toward the dark entrance.

Willow then made a hasty decision. She pretended to trip and fall. That way, she would be an easier, thus more interesting, target.

The group of henchmen were upon her in an instant and the others who were previously on a different mission came back to Willow. She struggled to get up and noticed the two well dressed demons look to her. They floated quickly, and weren't far away. She sat on the pavement with her upper body weight on her forearms. She kicked her way backwards, but the henchmen had surrounded Willow on all sides. Just then she realized that trapping herself might not have been such a good idea.

They pawed at her with the long straps of their jackets, thwapping through her and to the ground.

They must not have realized what was going on, but when Willow looked up at the Gentlemen she knew the jig was up.

The tall demons looked upon her and, with distaste, back to each other. Their hands dismissed the redhead, and their backs turned to her as they started to float away.

["NO!"]

She got up quickly and started back towards them. The henchmen were slow, and she was able to easily pass them, but it was no use.

They ignored her completely and one of the coasting demons gestured toward a black gap between two buildings.

The bandaged demons scurried effortlessly through Willow's protesting arms and into the entrance.

Willow had lost. She couldn't help and she had promised...

***

Her chest was beating so hard she thought her sternum was splitting. Tara's breath became ragged from trying to sit still after running so long. Sweat had beaded across her forehead and she could also feel it collecting on the small of her back.

Tara's blue zippered sweatshirt was hanging off her shoulders, but she didn't dare fix it. The only sound she was allowing herself to make were the short rasps of breath which she tried to calm with happy thoughts- happy green-eyed thoughts.

Stupid, stupid, stupid...

The happy thoughts were quickly chased away by the nightmares of how she would be responsible if any harm came to those beautiful green eyes.

She was just trying to help people- get them to talk again.

She should have known better. She'd never been useful in her entire life unless she was maintaining house for her family.

Tara heard a scuffle of metal, cloth, and footsteps.

What were you thinking, Tara? Stupid...

Clomp. Chink. Clomp-clomp.

Tara stiffened. She held her breath and leaned hard into the wall behind her.

They're here.

When Tara had first come into contact with the... whatever they were, instincts kicked in and she ran as fast as she could. She was almost to the Magic Box when she turned the corner, and there they were with their huge smiles and dark eyes.

She pulled her legs in tighter to her body.

The footsteps were only a little more than a few feet away.

Right then, she didn't know if she should be grateful for meeting the redhead. Tara's eyes widened and her mouth wrenched in agony at the thought of why the things in straight jackets were so close.

She couldn't stop the thoughts that flooded her mind of different fatal scenarios the redhead must have gotten into.

A second after Tara shut her eyes tightly, in pain, for the girl she just met, she felt clothed hands grabbing at her ankles.

["No! Please!!"]

She was being dragged out so quickly and roughly, the back of her head smacked against the cool pavement and scraped with the force. Her ears rang.

Tara fought and kicked, but there were so many of them!

They pegged her to the hard ground. Broken glass was pinching into her left elbow, but, at that moment, she didn't feel it.

She looked up, fearfully, at the bald men before her. The recesses of their bone structure was emphasized in the limited light.

The thing to the right clicked open a black leather medical bag which groaned as the leather bent and stretched. With a delicate hand he pulled out something small. Is it a pen? It glinted in the night to reveal a shiny scalpel.

["Help!"]

She looked all around her with a craned neck and then saw between the suited beings' legs.

She's alive! Oh, thank Goddess.

["HELP!!!!"] she soundlessly screamed toward the redhead. It was no use since the girl was busy, frantically scurrying around the opening to the entrance.

What is she doing!?

Tara looked back up at the things that loomed over. The suit in the left took the small blade with a gracious nod and then smiled down upon Tara.

She felt hands pull at her clothing. The small mental patients were ripping at her shirt. White buttons popped off and into the air, and they tugged at her dark blue camisole beneath to expose the space over her heart.

Tara struggled. Tears finally let loose and leaked down into her ears.

She pulled her head up again to look at the entrance of the dark cavern. She saw the redhead turn her head and look towards her with a saddened face.

Eye contact was made again, and the girl at the open entrance screamed, ["I'm sorry!!"] just before she ran towards Tara.

The blade was inching towards her chest after the bald creature to her left crouched down.

It felt cool.

Tara's eyes flitted to the sky. The moon was bright that night, so much that it was a little hard to see the stars.

She felt a sting in the delicate hollow of her neck.

The stars blurred with her tears and all she could see were Green eyes, green eyes, green eyes...

Liquid Warmth was dripping down to the nape of her neck and into her hair.

It tickled a little.

And then the pressure on her limbs lifted.

Something high pitched sounded in the far distance.

She heard a clank of metal hit the concrete.

With the freedom to move, she lifted her head and looked to the beings that surrounded her.

They were backing away from her body. Tara, herself, scurried on her sanded hands and feet to settle against the side of a cool and sticky dumpster.

Amongst the fray was the redheaded girl. She looked franticly from Tara, to the creatures, to Tara's neck, and back to the creatures.

The smaller, jacketed things were laying on the ground and scurrying like mice in a trap. Tara looked up the suited men. They were reaching for their skulls, rolling their eyes back and trembling.

Tara then looked to the girl, confused. The redhead was equally as mystified, and then pop!

A geyser of goop.

A green gushy substance erupted from the necks of the suited men. It turned their pristine white shirts and handkerchiefs a different shade of muck.

The things on the ground stopped moving enough that Tara knew they were dead.

Silence.

Tara looked up at the mysterious girl as the redhead knelt down beside her. The blonde's tears had slowed, but were still present and now flowing down to her chin. Her eyes glued to the hand of the other girl as it reached to her face, but then retracted quickly after a pause in mid-air. Tara followed the hand to its wrist and then up its arm to its... ...where's her elbow...

A sharp intake of breath.

It was, apparently, in the dumpster.

Tara scuttled back from the large box and assessed the green eyes. They looked confused.

Tara's breathing became panicked when she noticed the redhead's foot was currently occupying the same space of a glass bottle. The clear neck protruded out the front of her black boot, while the bottom was coming out the back.

The green eyes must have noticed where Tara's blues were gazing. When the redhead noticed the problem, Tara was already up and running.

Tara's breaths were mixed with grunts of fear.

Blonde hair waved goodnight and flew past her shoulders. Her tears burned. I can't get away! Why, why, why?

Her red boots clomped down the street and she could feel hot stickiness running down her chest and soaking her bra between her breasts with each throbbing pulse of her heart.

"Tara, wait!!"

OH GODDESS, IT KNOWS MY NAME!!!

Her knees ached, and the saliva in her mouth was so thick she thought it was more blood, but she ran faster.

"TARA!!!"

Run! Gotta go faster. Faster.

Tara didn't even chance a look back at the sounds of her name being called. It would slow her down.

She ran and didn't even know if she was headed back to campus or not. It didn't matter as long as she got away from the thing chasing her.

Her feet ached, and her heart was on fire.

***

SHIT!!!!!!

Willow saw the blonde making her way to the entrance of the alleyway with only minimal slippage on the greenish gloop of the demons formally known as Gentlemen.

Wait does that mean I can... "...talk?"

Willow smiled, Faith must've been the owner of that scream.

Willow frowned and looked to the space where the young girl was previously forced to the ground, She didn't scream soon enough.

She quickly got up and went to search for Tara. The blonde was injured and shouldn't be running around the town of Sunnydale in the middle of the night.

Willow was running. She saw the blonde up ahead. She wasn't too far, but even if she was weakened, the girl could still run fast. It must be the adrenaline from seeing... experiencing...

She didn't finish those thoughts and considered her renewed skill, "Tara, wait!!"

Willow thought the sound of Tara's name being called would help the girl realize Willow was a friend and not a foe. She frowned when more distance was created between herself and the blonde.

Maybe she didn't hear me?

"TARA!!!"

No change.

God, why can't I move faster! I run from demons every night, you'd think I'd be better at this. Maybe this form only goes as fast as I did when I died. I should test my improvem- Willow shut up!!! Before she let her analytical side take over, she took control of her thoughts and told herself to run faster.

Run, legs!

Please

Run

Move

Faster

She took a deep breath as she ran.

Faster

She exhaled slowly and breathed another deep breath.

I want to be up there

Go up there, legs!

She started picturing herself ten feet ahead of Tara, and breathed in again.

I want to be there

I want to be there

She pictured looking at Tara's face from the front.

I want to be with her

Exhale. She closed her eyes.

I want to be there

Inhale.

I'm there

She pictured Tara running towards her instead of away.

I'm there

She pictured Tara's eyes and heard her wheezing gasps and footfalls.

I'm there

I'm there

And then she was.

She felt her mind completely calm and empty. No sound. No sight. No feeling. No thoughts.

Empty. Empty. Rushing. Empty. Rushing. Rushing.Rushing.RushingRUSHINGRUSHING.

And then everything came at once.

All thoughts collided and Willow didn't understand what had happened, where she was, or who she was.

A few seconds passed and then awareness settled.

She opened her eyes to see a face coming at her. Rushing at her. Surprised, blue eyes were inches away from her face and then...

Dark

Dark

Dark

Blonde

Buildings

Sunnydale

Willow let out the thickest and heaviest breath imaginable at the same time bending over to rest her weight on her knees.

She closed her eyes again. "That was weird," she whispered.

The redhead heard the footsteps behind her slow to a stop. She straightened and turned slowly to face the blonde girl.

Tara was ragged. Her clothes were rumpled and torn- her skirt filthy with the flowing bottom falling apart. A lock of hair stuck to her upper chest that was stained red with blood and sweat. She held a hand to her right ribcage and winced with every intake of air. Her face was pink and held the strong emotions of shock and... recognition?


**************************************
End Chapter Six

DIBS! i'll leave feedback later. promise!
~Bug



ok now i can respond properly, moving is a bitch it's kept me from do anymore then reading fast and moving on!
this story is so awesome! i don't think the scene was too bad, it was the proper amount of horror to show almost getting your heart cut out. and willow learning a new trick because of Tara, i foresee this to be just the start. i can totally understand Tara freaking out, i mean getting chased by the Gentlemen and nearly getting kill and then just when you think your safe coming face to face with a ghost. but she reconized Willow's sigh!!! that's saying something. i don't think with all the panic happening I'd be able to recognized a sigh i heard once. it's so the bond already forming between those two! i can't wait for the next update!!!!
~Bug
(::)0<

_________________
"They kill mice." - Tara

"And what? Go up to her and say:
'Hey your cute, wanna boink?' " - Me at MBLGTACC 2005

Incredible. I am loving this story. I can't wait to see Tara and Willow's first conversation.

Wow. That was incredibly intense. I agree with Willow that I'm concerned about Tara running around in Sunnydale smelling like blood. It's not like the Gentlemen are the only baddies around. Willow did very well at delaying the gentlemen and at getting near and in front of Tara. Yay that Tara recognized her. Now for their meeting. Well done.

_________________
Menorah Tales | Working It Out | Random Bits

WolfNightwind- Now that I re-read it, the violence isn't as bad as I thought. I think my mind was in a weird zone because originally I didn't intend on Tara getting hurt at all. Also, it wasn't just a sigh she recognized, because Tara ran right through Willow. Maybe I should have written it clearer. Oh well, it'll definitely be elaborated on in the next post. Glad you're liking it.

notl33t- Thanks, and there will be much speakage in the next chapter.

JustSkipIt- Thank you. The next chapter will be posted late tonight, or tomorrow.

Whoops, I'm late leaving feedback, sorry.

That was scary - I was beginning to think that Tara was going to be joining Willow as a ghost. I also thought that perhaps Willow might somehow find a way to become solid in her terror for Tara, and fight off the vampire.

Looking forward to more
Anne

_________________
Spells for Two

Every path has its puddle. Old English Saying... I think I just stepped in mine...

Wow, that was intense and scary, which was well done and makes for great reading. Poor Tara for almost being Gentleman fodder and poor Willow for feeling like she was useless, although she did lure them away temporarily, just not long enough. Stupid gentleman. But yay for Tara recognizing Willow's sigh, and running through her and felt her again. Cool. Hmm, wonder what that feels like. Can't wait for more.


Wimpy

_________________
Pam aka Wimpy0729
Restlessness ~ Quickies - The Lovers, The Dreamers & Me

"There was plenty of magic." ~~ Tara

Wow Excellent update-y goodness. Hope to see soon

_________________
We few, we happy few. We band of buggered.

Posting While Nude Improves Your Mood.

Nice update! You actually had me seriously worried about Tara for a bit, but I'll join the chorus on it being scary, but not too scary. Looking forward to the next installment.

-Anne

_________________
"She was confused by fruit."
-Kathryn Rosser, Sidestep Chronicle part 80

"Everybody knows you can conjure anything by the dark of the moon."
-Tori Amos, "Suede"

I know I'm posting a day later than I said I would! Sorry.


spells42- It's really interesting to learn what you guys are predicting as I'm writing. I'm glad I was able to write something scary!

wimpy- Tara's gonna have some trouble explaining what Willow feels like, but she'll have a good description, I'm sure.

Zampsa1975- More for you right now!

ellisande- Yay, I made people worry! I actually worried myself.

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


Title: First Touch
Author: theblew
Email: the_blew@yahoo.com
Ratings: Will fluctuate. There will be violence of the killing vampires/demons nature, adult language, and perhaps some steaminess if you're good. So be prepared for a default of the fic being rated R. I'll warn you when it's NC-17.
Pairing: W/T
Distribution: It's all yours. Just tell me where it's goin'.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon.
Spoilers: Up through season 4.
Summary: The aftermath and what would happen if the episode 'Halloween' ended a little differently.
Angst: Yes. You know you love it.

Note: Thoughts in italics.

**************************************
First Touch
Chapter Seven: Trickling
**************************************

She was on the verge of collapsing. Tara had been running so long that all her limbs felt like rubber, but although her muscles were numb, she still stood strong with fear. It was the only emotion she could allow herself when running away from that thing.

Well, it was the only emotion until shock, utter terror, and complete dread barged into her emotions after coming face-to-face with her latest enemy.

Tara was running so fast she didn't have time to slow down when the thing materialized before her eyes. At first, when it started to take shape, she didn't think anything strange about the way the air swirled before her. The blurriness of her tears helped mask what looked like centralized mist collecting into the shape of a, somewhat transparent, human form. Then, fwap! It all converged with a slap, and there, before her, was a fully formed and dazed redhead.

She couldn't avoid the being. At first she thought it would open its arms and grab her, but when it did nothing but stand in a confused stupor, she imagined it would hurt very much when she inescapably barreled into it. She braced herself for the impact and then...nothing.

It felt a little like when one walks up a stairway in total darkness, and because that person doesn't know when the stairway ends, when they reach the top, they take a jarring step onto thin air.

It felt like that but most importantly, to Tara, it felt familiar.

And good. And safe. And... she didn't know what, but she had definitely felt it before.

Her steps slowed, and she turned around to look at the thing that was bent over at the waist and seemed out of breath even though it wasn't breathing hard at all.

It righted itself and turned to Tara.

"W-w-wh-..." She couldn't get a hold on her own breathing and was still taking steps from side to side. When her inflated lung prodded her diaphram a sharp bite of pinched agony let out, so with each short gasp for air, Tara let out a cry of pain.

Even though she was too tired to blink, more tears streamed down her face and she fought for breath. Tara started to feel dizzy and looked down to her feet. Why had she stopped? She still had the chance to get away, especially since she still had a head-start.

"I won't hurt you," a quiet and somewhat shy voice spoke fifteen paces away.

Tara looked up.

"I won't," the redhead looked into Tara's eyes. "You're safe with me, I promise."

Tara stared. She felt like vomiting.

"Which, I know doesn't mean much, because I promised you we'd be alright, but then I couldn't... and then they... and I swear I tried!" The redhead was on the verge of tears, herself, "I looked for help, but I couldn't leave you. And no one-"

Tara tried her voice, "Wh-h-what..." she took a frayed breath, "...a-a-are you?"

The girl's mouth was still hanging open from rambling, and she looked at Tara, "I'm Willow."

Off of another of Tara's cautious stares, Willow elaborated, "Is my name- Willow. Me. I'm a, uh," she looked down at her leather skirt, "I'm a ghost?"

Stare.

"A good ghost! I'm not a polterguest or anything, I'm good. I help- people," she paused. "I can help you."

No matter what Tara's mind was screaming, she started to relax with the girl's words. More seconds passed as Tara silently noted how the 'ghost' wasn't taking any dangerous steps closer to her. She also noticed how young the girl seemed.

"H-how d-did...m-m-my name?"

The redhead perked up, with a smile, "Oh! I know you!" off of Tara's crooked brow Willow continued, "Not like, I'm all knowing or anything, I mean, I've seen you around. On campus?" Willow struggled, to not seem like a creep. "I saw you at Wicca group, last Tuesday?"

Oh great, that's the day she sees me!? Tara was internally chastising herself for being embarrassed by a monster. No, not a monster. She's... She looked at Willow's worried eyes and cautious smile. She's good. But I don't remember...

"I d-d-d-didn't s-see you there?" Both hands had now gone to her abdomen to settle her nauseous feelings.

Willow looked anxious, "I know, you couldn't... but I was there, and those girls are so," she sturggled for a good description while her lips persed and she tightened her fists, "you know?" she gave up. "Yeah you know. Anyway, you didn't see me, but you- you heard me?"

Heard her? Tara's eyes narrowed in thought. Heard her. Heard... OH! She remembered how the girl sighed just moments ago and was able to make a strong connection to the invisible sigh she heard a few days before. She also remembered how she had a good feeling that perpetuated her impulse to stand up for herself against the 'Wicca' group.

"T-that was y-you?"

"Yeah, uh," Willow looked guilty and small. "Sorry 'bout that." She kicked a little at the ground, and Tara noticed how the pebbles didn't budge, nor did her foot make any sound against the asphalt.

Another small pause. Tara felt sweat dripping down her temple and to her cheek amongst her drying tears.

"Look, I know you're scared right now and you don't trust me, but, we really need to get you somewhere safe," the redhead looked closely at the girl's bloody chest. Tara looked down and suddenly realized how much of a mess she was at the moment. "A-and it's you good you don't trust me, I mean, not that there's something to not trust, it's just, it's good you're being cautious, this being Sunnydale and all."

Tara had intimately started to realize what being in Sunnydale was all about that night.

"It's-it's just that, my apartment is only a few block's away and I assume you live on campus..."

Ghosts pay rent?

Tara looked around at her surroundings. Tall dark buildings with rickety fire escapes clinging to old brick surrounded her. She was in the poorer part of town. It wasn't very far from the wealthier part, but she was lost all the same.

The adrenalyne in her body was at its maximum and she started to shake.

Hurriedly, Willow kept speaking, "You're hurt, and it's late. I really don't want you to get into anymore-"

"Well, what do we have here?" The voice was low and menacing. It came from the shadows behind Tara with a growl.

Willow looked at the three forms that were quickly approaching, "-danger."

Tara realized what the real threat at the moment was. She turned to the voices and took wobbly steps backward towards Willow. Willow, wanting to protect as best she could, stood herself in front of the blonde.

They were vampires. With the degree of Tara's injuries, Willow didn't want to have to push the girl any furthur. Just as she opened her mouth to start speaking to the vamped out monsters in front of her, one of the demons spoke loudly, "Shit, it's the bait!"

The other two vampires looked confused at first, but then caught on when they noticed the small girl's ensemble.

"Slayer's gotta be close, let's get outta here!"

They took off before Willow could even close her mouth. She looked behind her to Tara, who was standing only a few feet away.

The blonde was too tense to think about the bait comment, and she looked to green eyes, "H-h-how far i-is y-y-y-ou-your-"

Willow just nodded her head backwards, and spoke softly, "Just a few blocks, it'll only take a few minutes."

Tara just nodded, and walked, following Willow farther into the night.

***

When they arrived at the door of the apartment, Willow almost flipped. Key! She wasn't used to carrying a key around, let alone anything else. She was on the verge of a nervous breakdown until she remembered where Faith kept a spare hidden.

After Tara opened the door with the key she found, Willow escorted her towards the bathroom to get cleaned up.

Tara collapsed on the closed toilet seat and just rested for a few minutes. What she really wanted was sleep, Willow figured by the look of the girl's drooping eyes.

"There's a medical kit under the sink. There should be plenty of stuff you can use," Willow pointed.

Tara nodded slowly and tried to swallow. Her throat was hurting badly from running so long. Also, the cut at the base of her neck didn't encourage her to turn her head much.

She stood up, shakily, and Willow stepped aside and into the open doorway.

Tara put her weight on the counter, bent over, and reached for a large gym bag. She grabbed it and shifted her body back to sit down.

The blonde unzipped the bag on her lap, and stared at its contents. It was filled with more than your average amount of medical supplies, but she was more happy than curious of that fact.

Willow watched her silently, from the doorway. Tara was just sitting there blankly and staring at her roughened hands. The palms were scraped pink.

She doesn't know where to start.

Willow cleared her throat a little to not startle the girl any further, and when the blonde looked up, she spoke quietly, "May I, uh, look at, um," she pointed to her own neck as an example.

Tara just nodded with tired eyes.

Willow went to her, and crouched. She didn't know what to do with her hands, so she just clasped them in front of her then leaned forward to inspect the cut. It's not too bad. It's actually, kinda small. The bleeding's slowed... Only a small drip of fresh blood was running down her chest. "You should be okay. It's looks a lot worse than it is."

Willow moved back a little when Tara moved her own face down to greet her. Willow continued, "I don't think you need stitches, 'cause it kinda closes up by itself, and we have some stitchy glue we can use. But, I mean," she flustered, "if you want to go to the hospital, we can call for an ambulance." Willow stood up to leave and get the phone- not that she'd never be able to lift it, but stopped, "Oh, damn." She looked back at the girl, "But we'll have to wait a little bit. Faith- she's my roommate, she has our only phone. It's a cell phone. We thought it would be better than paying for a land-line, and we don't even pay for it. The Watchers' Coun-"

"Willow."

The redhead stopped and looked to the girl.

"T-t-this is m-more than enough," Tara lifted the bag a little.

Willow just gave a small smile and knelt in front of Tara again.

The apartment was silent except for a small water drip coming from the far away kitchen and Tara's heavier breathing.

Willow noticed Tara was still sitting without moving, "How 'bout we, assess your injuries? Can you tell me where you hurt?"

Tara looked up into green eyes, and a small crease developed between her eyes, "I," she paused, "i-it's hard to t-tell."

The redhead just nodded and sat up on her knees to get a little higher, "Okay, how about you, um, take off your sweatshirt and stuff?" her eyes got a little bigger, "you-you, can leave your tank-top on, of course."

Tara just nodded. She moved to take off her dark blue sweatshirt, and slid it off. The sound of fabric on fabric continued down her arms, and it flapped onto the tile floor with a jingle of the zipper. When she moved to take off her light blue button-down there was a rip like velcro. She hissed and looked toward her left elbow. Willow looked closer. There was a small rip in the sleeve where dark reddish-brown was pooling around it. It must have clotted onto her skin.

"It's okay, just a little cut." She looked at the fresh wound. Bright red started to roll down Tara's forearm to her wrist. "We can clean it up easy," Willow reassured. She peeked into the bag, "There should be some antiseptic ointment in there somewhere, I know we just bought a new tube."

Tara nodded, and piled her shirt onto the other fallen garment. She then bent her arm to get a look at the cut, "Bottle."

"What?"

"I got c-cut by a glass b-bottle." She moved her arm like a bent chicken wing.

"Oh," Willow reassessed the tally of owies, "Um, hold that little towel to it and can you turn? I'd like to see if your back is hurt."

Tara nodded, and reached her hand over to the side of the counter for balance. Willow kept her eyes trained on Tara's lower back, "Could you move your shirt up a little?"

"Yeah," Tara curled her fingers under the bottom of the dark blue tank-top and rolled it upwards. Willow smiled at the unmarked skin, until she looked up at the back of Tara's head.

"Oh, gosh!"

"W-w-w-what?"

Deep red was showing beneath blonde hair, "You hit your head? Did you lose consciousness? Black-out? Does it hurt? Do you have a concussion? Are you dizzy? Sit down!"

"I-i'm already sitting?" Tara wasn't sure how to answer the questions that streamed out of the redhead's mouth so quickly.

The redhead moved her hand on the side of Tara's head, touching the blonde above her ear, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't help you. I'm sorry I couldn't find help. I'm sorry I can't even help you now! "God, where the hell is Faith!?" She was frowning at the medical supplies that lay on the floor beside a pair of empty red boots.

"I'm okay. It's n-not that bad, I swear." Tara was calm at the redhead's distress.

"You sure?" she took her hand away and it seemed like Tara deflated a little until that hand came back to rest at Tara's knee.

Tara looked down at the small hand. Willow noticed the blue eyes, "Oh, sorry," she took her hand away completely.

"N-no, i-i-"

A door slammed and heavy footsteps sounded, "Willow, you home?" There was a splash of keys on a hard table.

The redhead looked toward the doorway, "Yeah, in the bathroom!!"

"Well, get out, 'cause I'm gonna need the mother of all showers." Once she entered the small space, she paused and looked toward the two women. "Okay, I guess I can wait?"

Willow ignored the fact that her friend was covered head to toe in green gloop, "Faith, can you help her? Her head, and her throat..." Willow was gesturing frantically at the seated girl, "...and, oh! Her elbow, and her palms. But I haven't even finished checking out what else needs-"

"Slow down, Will, can I just talk to you for a second?"

"Yeah..." Willow's eyes strayed towards Tara, who was looking intently at the puddles of goop at the brunette's feet. It grew with every splash of slime fallen from the edges of Faith's leather pants, "...I'll be back, quick."

The roommates stepped out of the bathroom and went towards the kitchen where Faith turned on the sink's faucet and grabbed the sprayer. The water was on full, but Faith didn't notice until she aimed it at her arm and pushed the trigger of the small hosed gun. Water ricocheted hard off her shoulder and through Willow to the floor.

Willow looked cross at what had just taken place and then disenchanted at Faith's grin.

"Whoops?" into the sink she started hosing, with lighter pressure, again down her arms to rid herself of the green goo. She nodded toward the bathroom, "So, what happened?"

Willow retold her quickly of how her night progressed to where they were right then.

"Are you sure we should trust her? I mean, I don't wanna be lil' miss tight-ass, but I want to make sure I'm not roomin' it up with a demon tonight."

"She's a witch, and you're already 'roomin' it up' with a ghost, so, I'd think you'd be more understanding, Wesley," Willow snipped.

"Okay, okay, we'll let her stay," she wiped her now clean face and above her black tank-top with a kitchen towel. Drops of clear water fell off the tips of dark hair, and Faith continued off of Willow's distressed look back towards the bathroom, "I'll fix her up, and she'll be as good as new. Promise." She gave a charming smile.

"Wait," the redhead looked towards the fridge.

"What?" Faith looked at the drawing.

"Can you take down the masterpiece? I don't want to remind her-"

"Man!" Faith relented but stomped over to the fridge when she ripped Giles' drawing down. "Happy?"

"Thanks." Willow genuinely was.

They headed back into the bathroom and saw Tara trying to wash her hands in warm water. With each touch, she'd jerk them back out as if being scalded.

At the set of footsteps on tile, she turned and looked toward the two friends.

"So, are you a demon or what?"

"Faith!"

Tara backed away, with shock, "A-a-are you gonna hurt me?" Her wet hands dripped onto the floor.

"That mean you are?" the slayer took a step forward.

"I-I-I-I-," her socked feet backed up on top of her boots and she stumbled a little. Tara was shrinking under Faith's strong gaze.

"She's good, she won't hurt us no matter what, I know it!" Willow stepped in front of Faith and looked to the blonde. "You're not, right?"

"No! I mean? I-I-I'm n-not sure what I am?" At Willow's confusion she continued, "No, I won't h-hurt you. But I...I-I-I-I d-don't know what I am?"

Faith pushed forward, "Explain."

Willow interrupted the tension, "Can we maybe chat while we get her cleaned up? Please?" Her green eyes were begging.

The slayer let out a sigh, and backed up, "Yeah, okay, sit down, Blondie-"

"Tara," Willow said.

Faith considered Willow's interjection, "-Tara."

Together, all three were able to fix the witch's injuries and discuss each other's demon knowledge and education at the same time, surprisingly, without judgement.

"I think we need to definitely hit the books on this one," Willow acknowledged Tara's story. Something doesn't add up... "Anyway, I also need to talk to Giles about the whole, whooshy whoosh, thing." She made a strange gesture with her hands.

Both Faith and Tara looked at the redhead with confused faces.

***

Willow showed Tara to her bedroom, and asked Faith to fetch another pillow and clean clothes for the girl.

"I-I-I can sleep on the couch. I don't want to t-take your-"

"Don't worry about it, I could sleep on a bed of impregnated bees and wouldn't feel any pain; a pull-out couch won't feel any different, I assure you."

Tara was too tired to even think about the redhead's statement, and her whole body melted at the sight of the small mattress.

She was asleep before Faith even returned with the pillow and extra set of sleeping clothes.

"Aw, man, it took me forever to find pajamas," she pouted.

"Well, you know, you could always wear them." Willow stated, still looking at the girl as she slept.

The slayer just directed a preposterous smirk towards the ghost, dropped the clothes, and shut off the bedroom light before heading to the shower.

Willow lay down on the large mattress in the darkened living room and couldn't focus on her breathing techniques. So much was floating through her mind: Tara, The Gentlemen, Tara, her confusing teleportation, Tara, speech, Tara, Tara, Tara.

She can't be a demon...

The shower's spray shut off with a heavy drip that kept flowing throughout the night after Faith went to sleep.

Willow's breathing slowed and became even when she held onto the image of Tara's eyes.

...she's too nice...

She remembered Tara's smile back when she opened the door to her dorm room, a few days before. Willow only had a side view of it, but felt it was breathtaking all the same.

...she's too beautiful...

And with that semi-conscious thought, Willow was off in a dream land again.

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End Chapter Seven

Man, I feel so sorry for Tara and Willow both. Tara's so banged up she doesn't know where to start, and poor Willow really can't do anything to help her, except providing the handy-dandy medical kit. Her frustration is just even more compounded by her desire to help Tara but being so helpless. I'm glad Faith finally made it home.

Seems like they all revealed some secrets to each other, and I'm glad Willow knows Tara's story, as I'm assuming she's been told by her father, doesn't add up. I'm hoping she can be of some help here.

Oh, Willow's thoughts of Tara at bedtime are very sweet. I wonder if Willow has had any thoughts like this about any other women...hmmm.

Great job again!


Wimpy

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Pam aka Wimpy0729
Restlessness ~ Quickies - The Lovers, The Dreamers & Me

"There was plenty of magic." ~~ Tara

Intriguing continued mix of established Willow/Tara lore with the recognizable trappings of their established meeting combined with your enthusiastic and undeniably macabre twist upon their beginning down the path to togetherness.

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I can deny chicks in chainmail nothing.
Amberhol-from the land of sky blue waters.
No Mere Music Hall, This my novel available directly from rosestindog@gmail.com.

Really good update-y goodness... hope to see more pleaaase

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We few, we happy few. We band of buggered.

Posting While Nude Improves Your Mood.

Poor things. Willow wants so badly to help, and Tara's beat up by monsters, frightened by Willow's ghost, and threatened by the Slayer 'cos she's a demon (well, partly, she thinks). What a mess!

It's sweet that Tara feels as she does when she senses Willow's essence. But talk about doomed relationships! I can only hope that you plan to in-corporate (?) Willow so that everything works out for them.

I'm enjoying the story.
Thanks
Anne

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Spells for Two

Every path has its puddle. Old English Saying... I think I just stepped in mine...

Well, I'm glad that Tara trusted Willow enough to follow her home and let her try to help. At this point, they're kind of just thrown together but they're both trying so that's good. Faith's so direct! "Are you a demon or what?" (or whatever she said). Lol. Glad that Willow's bait disguise scared off the vampires. Well done.

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Menorah Tales | Working It Out | Random Bits

Wimpy- Yeah, about all Willow could do for Tara's injuries was point. Bed-time thoughts to Willow are kind of essential. I imagine her meditations to be a way to push past everyday stresses and focus in on truth. I'm sure I'll weigh some of her night-time thoughts more heavily in the future, but let's see how it goes!

taralicious- How long does it take to write your sentences? I had to read that like three times. But, yeah, that's it in a nutshell.

spells42- "...only hope that you plan to in-corporate (?) Willow..." That made me smile. Um, I don't want to give anything away, but "doomed relationship" has a definite roll in this story, and if we were playing hot/cold you'd be boiling. But I do ensure a happy ending, so stick with it!

JustSkipIt- I'm not sure Tara had much choice in following Willow home, but she did show definite signs of trust in the bathroom scene, I think. I love the character of Faith more now that I'm writing her than I ever did before. I'm really trying to push her characteristics that are derived from the show, but form them into this alternate Buffyverse. She was totally blunt on the show. Example: the Wesley as the new watcher/"Screw that" scene. Now comes the hard part of actually writing W/T scenes since I shoved 'em together. I'm nervous.

Everyone and Zampsa- I plan to update on Sunday!

Well. I have lurked long enough here -- time to chime in.

This is a really interesting premise for a story and one I haven't seen before.

So. Now that I am delurkified I have some questions for ya . How very impolite of me?

*courtseys*

Willow is Faiths roommate -- and they seem both compatible and friends. How did that come about? I can certainly see it happening with Buffy all "eek i'm a princess" but I was wondering how it came to be... and is Buffy a slayer anymore or is that along with her former personality?

Also, regarding the scene in the initiative with Xander. I was a bit lost there -- was Xander trying to capture Willow, or was Willow just trying to reason with Xander regarding capturing and experimenting on Oz? Demons in general? Does he even know her anymore, and how were they able to talk? It was the only point in the story where I felt lost so I think I must have missed something there.

I really like what you have done with the character development in the story. It all seems so well thought out. I am impressed... in terms of Willow's ghostliness and Buffy's being trapped as a princess and Xander as an Army guy. I especially like Willow's character development -- you've done a lot of work looking at things from her perspective and I find it funny and telling and very true to her character. I am also quite fond of what you have done with Faith -- I like Faith-with-Giles-as-watcher. It seems like she did much better.

Tara is, of course, Tara... and I like your insights into her character as well -- the Willow huffing and Tara giggling scene at the Wicca meeting was spot on, and very funny.

Oh, and the lesbian/thespian buffy comment was also a hoot.

I am looking forward to reading more... and would you look at that, it's Sunday !

db

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I am, you know.

I really need to stop giving myself due-dates. Sorry, gang! I've been unexpectedly busy these past weeks, not to mention this upcoming chapter hasn't been flowing as easily as the others. But anyway, it's here and I hope you enjoy!


Feedback:
db- Hey! Okay, you've brought up a couple of humongous topics that I've only just brushed upon so far. I'll try to give you a little more insight without giving anything away, so here I go!

Willow/Faith: There's a couple years of history with them that I will definitely get into later on. Since Willow's been changed physically, I figured Buffy's body has also been affected. So, with that in mind, no, she's no longer a slayer. And because she isn't a slayer, I had to figure out how to get Faith in the picture, (because, no offense to Kendra fans, but that character blows, and Faith is totally awesome) I also had to figure out how Faith's altered personality and how she fit into the scoobies because she actually becomes "the one and only" slayer.

Xander/initiative scene: It was a flashback scene, but for some reason it totally slipped my mind to put it in italics. That scene was very vague, but I'll definitely revisit it later on. With it, I pretty much wanted to touch on Xander's own personality and his strained relationship to Willow. She mentions she helped him in highschool, but despite that his own mind/drive/business/whatever really has nothing to do with her. It's all soldier, all the time.

Thanks for your compliments, they mean a lot when I'm trying to figure out the plot-mess I've created.
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Title: First Touch
Author: theblew
Email: the_blew@yahoo.com
Ratings: Will fluctuate. There will be violence of the killing vampires/demons nature, adult language, and perhaps some steaminess if you're good. So be prepared for a default of the fic being rated R. I'll warn you when it's NC-17.
Pairing: W/T
Distribution: It's all yours. Just tell me where it's goin'.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon.
Spoilers: Up through season 4.
Summary: The aftermath and what would happen if the episode 'Halloween' ended a little differently.
Angst: Yes. You know you love it.

Note: Thoughts in italics. And I know the episode, "Hush," took place before Christmas but I really don't want to write about Christmas so I'm pushing it away and behind.

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First Touch
Chapter Eight: Sharing
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Birds were singing, the sun was shining, and Tara had the biggest headache imaginable. The blonde lay in the exact same position she fell asleep in the night before. Half-awake, she made an attempt to roll onto her other side, but, with a groan, her aching muscles denied her that action. Once her eyes cracked open, Tara realized she had no idea where she was. The room was bare except for an overflowing bookshelf, closed closet doors, and a table with strange contraptions on it.

Thoroughly confused, she sat up on her arms and winced when pain erupted from one elbow. Her mouth was wide open, and after waiting small moment for the pain to pass, she whispered an exaggerated, "Oooooww." Tara saw the joint of her arm wrapped in a white bandage with tape. Oh yeah. She remembered and felt a headache emerge from behind her eyes.

After a few slow and planned movements, Tara was able to sit up against the grey wall. Her feet dangled off the edge of the bed, and she propped herself against the hard plaster without putting any pressure on her bruised shoulders.

Next to a pile of books on ancient Okinawan meditations, a nearby digital clock read 7:34. A large framed photograph sat beside it. The picture was of three happy friends hanging out on a sunny day. Tara noticed the familiarity of the small redhead peaking from behind a blonde's shoulder and had to smile. She also noticed that the guy lying on the grass looked a lot like her T.A. from math class. What was his name? Alexander? She let that thought go and lightly investigated her head wound with warm swollen fingertips. She winced when she probed a little too closely, but the scrape seemed to be healing on its own without assistance of a bandage. Goodbye, hairbrush.

After listening to a couple of nearby birds chirrup, she couldn't handle the extreme discomfort overtaking her body any longer. She went to investigate the quiet apartment for some medicated pain-relief.

Willow's bedroom door opened easily without a sound. The other bedroom door across from Willow's was shut tight. Tara made a short right to the bathroom on tip-toes to scrounge for some medication. She slowly pulled open a few drawers before remembering Faith kept the pill bottles in the kitchen.

The bathroom's door opened into the main room which also connected to the kitchen area. Tara spied a young redhead lying on the pull-out couch with her boots on. She stilled her own movements to watch the slow ups and downs of Willow's pale tummy to decide that the girl was in-fact sleeping. After a few moments of staring at the other girl's smooth belly, Tara snapped out of it and began to take in other details of the apartment's decor.

The furniture looked old, but still nice. It was no different than one would find in any college apartment. There were some post-Christmas lights still hung around the ceiling which gave the apartment its only flare. She smiled at the sight since she, too, hadn't gotten around to taking down her own decorations. Tara turned her attention back to the sleeping ghost. The couch's mattress was bare, and Willow wasn't using a pillow.

Although Tara never complained about other people's sleeping accommodations, she was a bed snob. She didn't like to admit it, but she never skimped on thread count, always fluffed her pillows, and flipped her mattress on a regular basis. She would definitely pass the 'Princess and the Pea' test, but that damn pea would have to go the next night whether she crawled under the one-hundred mattresses to fish it out by hand or by some other means. To Tara, there was nothing closer to heaven than a warm, comfy, safe bed. Unfortunately, her entire life, she never really had a euphoric bed; not even at that present moment in time. Her entire childhood contained one wiry twin bed and since she had left home, the dorm's mattresses weren't very glorious. But despite her large lack of quality sleepy-time experience in the past, she still knew what good felt like.

When she was ten, Tara went on a small weekend trip with her mother to a nearby wooded town. They dubbed their vacation, 'The Getaway'. Tara was just starting to really get into casting her magics, and her mother saw it fit to take a field trip into nature.

----------
They stayed in one of four cabins, which a little old couple owned. After a few hours of song-filled driving,Tara and her mother met them when they first arrived to the spot. They received a few small keys and were handed a map to the couple's favorite sites the wood had to offer.

It was a one-room cabin, and didn't look like much. It was dark, and the smell of wood was clear. There was a fireplace, logs, a couple chairs, table, small kitchenette, and big cherry bed. It was covered in a deep dark purple and red quilt made of the softest cotton Tara had ever felt. The bed was adorned with huge fluffy pillows which could be mashed into the perfect shape to fit the contours of anyone's shoulders, neck and head. She imagined it would feel like sleeping on a clouds... or mashed potatoes.

Her mother had noticed the small blonde's wonderment at the sight of the bed, "Go ahead, sweetie. I'm gonna start on some stew." Tara just looked up at her mother with a smile and ran to the bed. It was tall, and it took a little umph to hop onto it. Once she lay down on her back, the little blonde looked over to see her mother cleaning some vegetables. The young girl felt complete happiness. No that wasn't true, she felt complete happiness after her belly was full with warm stew, and she was cuddled against her mother whom joined her in a relaxing sleep before a warm crackling fire.

---------

Tara decided to head for the kitchen but didn't want to wake the sleeping girl with heavy footsteps, so she glided on the hard-wood floor with her socks, whilst holding her arms out for unneeded balance. All was going well until a creek erupted from under her weight. Tara held her breath and saw that Willow was still in the same position as before. Tara quickly spied the large bottle of pain-relievers on top of the avocado fridge. She made a quick grab for them and slowly tried to screw off the lid. The pressure of pushing the cap down made her palms burn, but she was able to successfully open the plastic bottle. Just as her two fingers blindly searched to quietly pull out a couple of pills, she heard a voice right behind her.

"Hey, you're up!"

Little white pills flew everywhere.

Tara was stunned into a motionless silence as if she were hiding from a T-rex.

Willow made a move to catch the flying projectiles and, sadly, even if the girl was physically able to grab hold of them, she was nowhere close. They clattered against all surfaces. She wasn't very good in gym class. "Oh, gosh! I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have snuck up on you like that," Willow gave a guilty smile.

Tara released her shock had bent to sweep the white tablets from the floor with her hand. Willow kneeled to join her. She gathered them, and looked to Willow for confirmation to put them back in the bottle. Willow scoffed, "Five-second rule, right? Anyway, Faith'd eat dirt if you told her it got rid of ouchies." The apparition looked at her own hands, "It's my fault, I'm sorry for startling you."

They clanked into the bottle and Tara went fishing for the ones in the dry sink and noticed how awake the redhead seemed, "N-no, it's okay. I th-thought you were sleeping."

Willow smiled and watched Tara dig for some of the flying projectiles out from under the electric stove burners, "Oh, I wasn't sleeping. I don't..." Willow paused and looked down a little sadly, "I don't sleep."

Tara looked up curiously.

"I mean," the redhead waved to herself, "since I don't have a real body, I guess I don't really need real sleep for real relaxation."

"Really?"

Willow was still looking down, "Yeah, it's really-" she met Tara's face and stopped her speech when she saw Tara's grin and raised eyebrow.

Tara looked at Willow's flustering. Too cute.

The redhead quickly changed the subject, "So, how-how are you?" She looked at the pills in Tara's hand, "Oh, duh. All ache-y I guess?"

Tara gave a small smile, "A little." She looked at the small pills that sat on her palm. "D-do," she stammered and looked towards the cabinets, "glasses?"

Willow was in a small daze for some reason and jumped a little when she realized Tara had asked her a question, "Oh, yeah. Um, next to the fridge."

Tara smiled and fetched the glass before filling it with some water from the sink and swallowing the pills. There was a sharp ache coming from the hollow of her neck when she tipped her head back. When she finished swallowing, her hand went to her throat to blindly touch two butterfly bandages. She looked toward the redhead, "Thank you."

Willow looked all around the kitchen, "Oh, you're welcome. Faith likes to keep the medicine in the kitchen because you have to drink, and usually eat with it. You should eat something. There's some bananas, or cereal, or you could make something if you want? I even think there's some left-over chinese-"

"No."

Willow finally looked at Tara and continued, "Okay, but I strongly suggest you eat something because those pills might make your tummy hurt and that would be-"

"N-no, I mean," Tara took a breath and made eye contact with Willow, blue to green, "I m-mean thank you for last night. F-for saving me a-and h-helping me. Thank you, Willow."

Willow looked at Tara's injuries, "But I didn't, and anyone would've," she paused, "it was nothing special-"

"No, it was." Tara was serious.

The redhead just gave a small smile, pretended to pick at the laminated counter-top and relaxed, "So, breakfast?"

***

Willow watched Tara eat some toast with jam and thought back to when Buffy called Giles' shiny metal toaster demonic when the newly brunette girl first saw it in action.

The two girls were seated on the couch, and Willow didn't want Tara to leave. Earlier when Tara had first crept into the kitchen, Willow had been lightly meditating. She was in the middle of trying to understand the mechanics of her apparent teleportation when she heard a not-so-quiet creek on the hard-wood floor. She decided to investigate so she slowly counted down from ten to return her thoughts to an alert-state.

During their conversation in the kitchen, she realized she probably wasn't 'alert' as she should be because her eyes kept dazing towards Tara's lips every time the blonde spoke.

"So, I don't mean to sound all parental, but what were you doing out so late?"

Tara put down her empty plate on the coffee table, "I-I, t-there's a s-spell I found. T-to make people talk again?" She had rushed the explanation, but her stutters slowed it down. Off of Willow's curious look, she continued, "I figured the q-uicker the better, b-but I didn't have the right ingredients. I thought Mr. Bogarty could help me. He-he owns the Magic Box, and, um, lives near it."

Willow just nodded, not wanting to scold the girl for trying to do something good no matter the dangerous consequences, "So how long have you been practicing?"

"Always," Tara rolled her eyes at herself, "I mean, since I um, was little. My-my mom used to. She um, she had a lot of power."

Willow saw Tara's face brighten at the thoughts of her mother and then quickly darken when she mentioned power. She shifted and tucked her legs beneath her on the couch, "I want to figure out your, uh, demon thing, but we should probably get into it more with Giles present."

"How-how long have you kn-known him?"

"Oh, since I was still kickin'!," she smiled and bobbed her head at her own semi-joke, but realized Tara was still confused.

"H-how old, um, old are you?"

"In ghost years, people years or both?"

"A-all of the above?" Tara asked.

Willow thought back, "I'm 18; 16-human, 2 ghosty. Roughly."

Tara gave a crooked smile, "Me too, um, e-eighteen, that is. Total." She picked at her tattered skirt, "H-how d-d-did..." she stopped herself from asking, but Willow finished the question for her.

"...did I die and turn spooky?"

Tara looked down with an open mouth, "I-I'm s-sorry, I sh-shouldn't have a-asked-"

"Tara."

The blonde looked up to meet Willow's gaze, and relaxed at the redhead's warm smile.

"It's fine, I figured I'd have to tell you anyway, seeing as how we'll probably be spending more time together." Hopefully... Willow sat back against the armrest, "Relax, it's kinda a long story-"

There was a gruff voice from the short hallway, "Willow was a ghost for Halloween and some magician prick turned her and her friends into their costumes for shits and giggles." Faith had apparently awoken and heard the last bit of conversation between the two girls on her way to the bathroom.

Willow was still struck by the quick explanation when the bathroom door closed loudly and she turned back to Tara on the couch, "Apparently not that long."

"T-tell me anyway?"

----------

Giles and Willow were briskly walking to Ethan's costume shop. The sounds of far away police sirens filtered through the air. Giles was cautious, but fuming at the same time. When they both reached the door, Giles held out his arm to keep Willow behind him. If she didn't see the appendage, the redhead would have walked right through it.

When they both laid eyes on the man in question, Giles made a strong notion for Willow to leave and be out of harm's way.

She left the shop and decided to search for her friends. Through the city streets on Willow's way back o Buffy's house, she heard a loud commotion coming from a large alleyway.

When she got to the entrance, she saw her friends, being held captive by Spike and some of the other Halloween-monsters. It seemed the only genuine demon was Spike, himself.

Willow tried to help Xander get loose, but no matter what she tried, it seemed impossible as her hands fell through his arms.

Spike was leering over Buffy, and Willow could see tears rolling down her best friend's face. Just when she was about to loose hope, Xander was able to break free of the two small demons that were previously holding him down. "Now that guy you can shoot!!"

Bullets pelted into Spikes back. His knees buckled as he shook to the ground with each hit through the thick leather jacket. On his back he tried to look at his wounded body, "That hurts."

Because of the machine gun's destruction, the demons pinning Angel were distracted enough for him to break free and grab at an empty crate. He shattered it against the hard ground, and with a sharp piece of wood, plunged it into Spike's unbeating heart.

"Finally, God! What took you so long to kill him!?" Cordelia was wiping away grime from her cat leotard.

Willow ignored her and went to Buffy just moments before Angel. He knelt beside the crying girl, "Buffy?"

She looked to Willow and back to the loving vampire by her side several times, "What beasts are you?" She was terrified, and so was Willow.

Eventually, Willow informed the gang of what happened with Giles, and they all agreed to go back to Ethan's see what was going on and help Giles if he needed it.

They approached the dimly lit shop to find Giles pacing the main aisle somewhat proudly. It didn't take long for him to understand he shouldn't have been so proud.

"You just let him get away!?" Angel was furious.

"I thought the spell was broken when I smashed the head of Janus." He removed his glasses shamefully, "It seems I was mistaken."

Angel grabbed a wire mannequin and threw it toward the back of the shop.

"Angel," Willow said quietly, almost to herself. She didn't know what to do or think. What do you do when the enemy runs away? Chase it. "We need to do a full search on Sunnydale. Bus stations, trains, planes, hitchhiking, whatever!"

"Yes, that seems in order. Good idea, Willow," Giles replaced his glasses and walked out the door.

"'Kay, so since you all are doing that, I'm just gonna head on out to the Alpha Delt's party." Before Cordelia got out the door, Xander had a strong hold of her arm. "Abuse much!?"

"It's still dangerous out there, Ma'am."

Cordy stomped her foot, "Why does the bad stuff always happen to me?"

----------

"We haven't caught him yet."

Tara was leaning forward in interest to Willow's tale, "Never seen again?"

Willow nodded her head side to side, "Well, there were a few close calls in the beginning, but not since, no." She shrugged.

"I-is there anything I could do?" Tara's eyes looked sympathetic, but understanding.

"I'm not sure." Willow thought a little, "We've tried witchcraft, but he's got the dark-magic thing going for him, and when we get close to pinpointing him he manages to slip through. I think we just need some good timing and luck."

There was a small silence that fell between the girls but it was broken when Faith emerged from her bedroom, awake for the second time.

"You two still gabbin'?" Faith went into the kitchen to check the time on the microwave. It was 9:47. She returned to the living room, "Did you want to go to Giles' to check out that whole," she spread her fingers and circularly gestured at Tara, "demon-thing?"

Willow just looked to Tara for an answer. Tara turned her head from Willow to Faith as she spoke, "Um, i-is it alright i-if I, um, change and r-r-rest a little first?" She picked at her tattered skirt.

"Oh! Gosh, yes, you probably want to get all cleaned up and stuff. You can use our shower here if you want, and I'm sure Faith could lend-"

"N-no, That's alright, Willow," Tara smiled with closed lips, "I shouldn't i-impose any l-longer." Willow was about to interrupt, but Tara cut her off before she even started, "Faith, thank you for helping me a-and not k-k-killing me." Her smile turned into an uneasy grin. Tara stood from the couch and Willow followed.

"It's what I do," Faith turned back into the kitchen to hunt for breakfast.

Willow walked Tara to the door and couldn't help the nervous feelings she, for some unknown reason, was experiencing. A little voice in the back of her head was trying to shout for all its worth, but stayed mute. You're nervous you'll never see her again.

"So, I guess I-I'll see you later?" Tara had opened the heavy door.

Willow relaxed her stance, "Yeah, you have the number right?"

Tara held up a scrap of newspaper. On it, in the tiny margin, was the roommates' cell-phone number as well as Giles' house phone. Willow made a face at the paper, "Sorry we didn't have any..." she pointed to the scrap, "Actually, I'm kinda surprised we even had that! If I could, I would have this place fully stocked with office supplies, but, well..." the ghost trailed off with a faint smile.

Tara just smiled in return and waved goodbye before closing the door behind her.

Willow took a few moments to watch a voluptuous shadow, casted by the morning's sun, walk across her veiled window. When she turned back to face the room, Faith was standing in the entrance to the kitchen in a pair of black bikini panties and white tank-top. The sight could have been sexy in anyone's opinion, but Willow never thought so; especially when her roommate was scarfing down the last remaining contents of day-old lo-mien.

As Faith reached the end of the box, she tilted her head back as if she were downing a beer. The nasally noises slipping out the container weren't very pretty, either. Once she tilted back down and removed a noodle from her hair just to eat it, she turned to Willow and spoke, "That chick was kinda weird, right?"

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End Chapter Eight

Hey, I haven't called dibs in a while, so I'll do that now.

This is a great story and I apologize for not leaving feedback earlier. I won't attempt to break it all down, except to say that I love your style and I really like the concept of the story. There's lots of fun stuff here to work with and I'm looking forward to see where it goes next.

Keep up the good work and please don't leave the kittens waiting too long. They get testy.

Diane

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The dlline Short Fic Thread

Excellent update-y goodness.

_________________
We few, we happy few. We band of buggered.

Posting While Nude Improves Your Mood.

Oooh I didn't find this before! But I read it all now, it's awesome I'm sure Tara can help lift that poo-ey dark magic spell and turn Willow back to normal so they can make out and do other more naughty stuff

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'Tara Tarantula. Hairy black legs. Now that's a thought.'
-Sleek, Three Words