Okay kittens, this is the part you've all been waiting for. Happy reading
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Part 12Faith sat up in her bed as the doctors brought Buffy in.
Faith: How is she? Is she okay?
Doc Martin: Her condition is stable at the moment. She should wake up in around half an hour.
Faith nodded as the doctors left the room again. Looking over at the girl in the bed next to her, Faith’s face became clouding with concern.
Willow’s houseWillow, Xander, Oz and Giles were gathered in the hallway.
Willow: So where do we start looking?
Giles: I think the best place to start is their house.
Oz: You’re probably right.
Giles: I’ll go and bring my car around the front.
Willow nodded and Giles left through the front door. Willow was becoming even more agitated by the second. If she didn’t find Tara soon, god knows what would happen. She was going out of her mind with worry. If something happened to Tara, she’d never forgive herself and if she got her hands on Mr Maclay, well, there was no telling what she’d do. After everything he’d done to Tara, there was no way he was going to get away with it all.
They heard a car horn and practically ran out of the house towards Giles’ car. They were going to find Tara. They were going to find them if it killed them.
At the hospitalCarefully Faith, she got out of her bed and moved over to Buffy’s. Sitting down on the end of it, she took Buffy hand and began speaking softly to the other girl.
Faith: Come on, Buffy. Wake up…. You’re gonna be okay. You can’t leave me. I need you. I need you with me, Buffy. I…. I love you.
Faith closed her eyes and let the tears fall. She had to convince herself Buffy was going to be okay, she’d go crazy otherwise. Somewhat unexpectedly, Buffy’s eyes flickered open.
Buffy: Faith…?
The brunette’s eyes flew opened and a gasp escaped her lips as she found Buffy awake.
Faith: Oh my god, you’re awake! I’ll go fetch the doctor.
As she tried to get up off the bed, Faith felt Buffy place her hand on her arm. Slowly, she turned to face the girl before her, glancing down at Buffy’s hand first.
Buffy: Don’t…. I…. I don’t want you too leave.
For a moment, Faith became panicked. Wondering if Buffy had heard her confession seconds earlier.
Buffy: Please….
All worries were forgotten at that point and Faith sat back down on the edge of the bed. Buffy hand moved down Faith’s arm and grasped the other girl’s hand.
Faith: The um, the doctors said you weren’t going to wake up for a while.
Buffy: Doctors aren’t always right.
Faith chuckled.
Faith: No. They’re not.
Buffy: Where’s Willow and Tara?
The brunette’s face paled when she realised she’d have to tell Buffy Tara’s dad had gotten her. When she didn’t answer, Buffy sat up and frowned.
Buffy: Where are they?
Faith: Buffy…. It was Tara’s dad at The Den. He found us. Found Tara. He was the one that shot us. He took Tara.
Buffy’s breathe caught in her throat and she thought she was going to have a panic attack.
Buffy: What?
Faith: Xander and Oz managed to sneak Willow out of here and they’ve gone looking for her.
Buffy: Why didn’t you go with them?
Faith: I wanted to be here when you woke up…. So you wouldn’t be alone.
Buffy: Oh.
A moment of silence passed between them before Buffy spoke.
Buffy: We have to get out of here.
Faith: What?
Buffy: We have to find a way out of here. We have to help them find Tara.
Faith: Buffy, there’s no way I’m gonna let you walk out of here in your condition.
Buffy: To be honest Faith, I feel fine.
Faith: Yes, but-
Buffy: Faith…. If you not going to help me, I’ll find a way out myself.
The brunette sighed. She wasn’t going to change Buffy’s mind. If Buffy planned on going to find Tara, Faith was going to be right there beside her.
Somewhere in SunnydaleDragging the still unconscious girl into an abandoned house, Mr Maclay grinned to himself. He’d done it, done it all. Broken out of prison, gotten Tara and by taking her away from Willow he was getting his revenge on the redhead as well. And he was going to get away with it all.
Once he was inside the empty house, he dropped Tara and looked down at her as she came too.
Mr Maclay: All you had to do was behave yourself, Tara, but you couldn’t even do that right. Just like your mother. She never did as she was told either, that’s why she had to be taught a lesson.
Tara: You…. You w-w-won’t get away w-with this. W-Willow will f-find me….
Mr Maclay: You seem to have forgotten that I shot her and all your other little friends. There’s no one left to help you, Tara. They’re all in the hospital, safe in their beds, forgetting all about the blonde girl they never really liked in the first place. They’ll be glad to see the back of you.
Tara: You-you’re wrong.
Mr Maclay: Am I? Why aren’t they here then, Tara? If they did like you, wouldn’t they at least try to help you? No matter how injured they are? If I’m wrong…. Why aren’t they here to help you? Why haven’t they come to save you?
A tear slid down Tara’s cheek. He was doing it again. Making her feel worthless. That’s what he did best.
Mr Maclay: If you meant anything to them, they’d be out looking for you…. But they’re not. You’re nothing to them, Tara. And why? Because you never listen to me. If you did, you’d know that having friends was never a good idea for you. Everyone you love gets hurt Tara. Your mother, Uncle Rupert, and now your friends. And it’s all your fault, because you never listened.
Tara: S-s-stop it….
He voice was barely a whisper.
Mr Maclay: What?
Tara: Stop it!
Tara’s head snapped to the side as she felt her father’s palm connect with her face.
Mr Maclay: You will not talk to me like that! Ever!
She stayed silent, thinking about what he had said. Did they care about her? She had been so sure they did…. So very sure. This was the way it always happened. She’d be so sure of something, but then he’d come in and mess everything around so she couldn’t think properly. He didn’t want her thinking on her own. Always wanted to make every single decision for her and more often than not, it was the decision she didn’t want.
Mr Maclay: Now. We’re going to wait here until its time.
Tara: T-time for w-w-what?
He smiled evilly at her.
Mr Maclay: You’ll see.
Tara’s houseThe front door flew opened as Xander kicked it in. Willow sped forwards and began looking for Tara.
Willow: Tara! Tara, are you here!
Giles made his way upstairs, while Xander, Willow and Oz searched the other rooms. After a moment, they all returned to the hallway of the house.
Oz: It’s completely empty.
Xander: Except for this.
Xander reached into his pocket and took out an enveloped he’d found in the kitchen. It was addressed to Giles. The elder man took hold of the note and opened it. It read:
Rupert, I didn’t think you’d be able to keep your nose out of this one. I know you’ve been watching me. Watching Tara. How does it feel, knowing you’ve failed to protect your only daughter? I’m taking her home. You’ll be lucky if you see her again after that.Crushing the piece of paper in his hand, Giles’ jaw clenched and his face became twisted with anger. None of the other’s knew what the note had said, so they all looked at him expectant.
Xander: Well?
Giles: I know where he’s taking her.
Willow: Then lets go.
They poured out of the house and into Giles’ car. Turning the key in the ignition, he started the car and gripped onto the wheel, his knuckles turning white. He spun the wheel and they were off, heading in the direction Giles was sure would lead them to Tara.
Abandoned houseMr Maclay glanced at his watch and got to his feet.
Mr Maclay: It’s time.
Tara: T-time?
Mr Maclay: Get up.
Tara got to her feet, deciding it wouldn’t be a good idea to disobey her father again. He roughly grabbed onto her arm and dragged her out of the house.
Tara: W-where are w-w-we going?
Mr Maclay: Home.
Tara: W-what?
He stopped, grabbed both her shoulders and shook her viciously.
Mr Maclay: Home! I’m taking you home!
Tara: B-but….
He ignored her, turned around and walked off, dragging Tara with him.
Giles’ carAs the car sped down the street, Willow turned to the driver, looking concerned.
Willow: Giles…. What did the note say?
Giles: Nothing Willow.
Willow: Okay….
Xander: Hey, G-Man, where’re we headed?
Giles: The train station.
Oz: Why are we going there?
Giles: The note was from Tara’s father. He said he was taking her home.
Willow: But we just went there.
Giles: No, you misunderstand. Before they lived here, they had a house in New York, near to Jamie’s parents so they could visit the kids. Unfortunately, Jamie’s parents were killed and Jamie decided that she couldn’t stay in New York any longer. Too many bad memories. So, they moved to Sunnydale.
Willow: And now he plans on taking her back to New York?
Giles: Yes.
Willow: We have to get to her before they leave. We have to.
Giles: Just calm down, Willow.
Willow: Don’t tell me to calm down! My girlfriend’s father is about to take her away from me forever!
Giles paused for a second, taking in what Willow had said.
Giles: Tara’s…. your girlfriend?
The redhead turned to the driver.
Willow: Do you think I’d be in the sate I’m in if she wasn’t more than just a friend? This is killing me inside…. If he takes her away from me…. I don’t know if I could go on, Giles.
Giles: I know, Willow. I know.
Train stationGripping onto Tara’s arm tightly, Mr Maclay guided her onto the platform to wait for the train. Tara looked around, scared and somewhat confused.
Tara: W-why are we h-here?
Mr Maclay: I told you, sweetie. We’re going home.
Tara: Don’t c-call me that.
He stopped and turned to her.
Mr Maclay: What?
Tara swallowed hard and dropped her head, letting her hair cover her face.
Tara: N-nothing.
Mr Maclay: Good. Now, the train should be here in….
He glanced at his watch.
Mr Maclay: 10 minutes. We’ll sit here and wait.
He sat down and patted the space next to him. When Tara didn’t sit down, he glared at her.
Mr Maclay: Tara, sit down.
Tara: N-no.
His voice became more stern.
Mr Maclay: Tara. Sit down.
Tara: No!
Mr Maclay got to his feet and Tara backed up slightly. She had never been very good at standing up to her father, but she wasn’t going to let him win this time. She wasn’t going to let him take her away from the people she loved.
Mr Maclay: I told you not to talk to me like that. Do I have to tell you again? Sit down!
Tara: No! You-you can’t m-make me do anything I-I don’t w-w-want to.
Mr Maclay: We’ll see about that.
He raised his hand and Tara backed up further.
Tara: I’m n-not coming w-with you.
Mr Maclay: Yes. You are.
He stepped towards her and she immediately flinched.
Mr Maclay: Now, sit down.
She shook her head, tears springing to her eyes. He was going to make her go with him. He was going to take her away from Willow. Quickly, his hand lunged forward and he grabbed Tara’s arm, roughly pulling her towards his.
Mr Maclay: I think I’m going to have to teach you a lesson again.
Tara: N-no…. please….
He began dragging her away when someone’s voice surfaced.
Giles: I think she wants you to let her go.
Mr Maclay spun around to face Giles, his grip on Tara faulting slightly. His face broke out in an eerie smile.
Mr Maclay: Rupert, how nice it is to see you again.
Before Giles could figure out what he was doing, Mr Maclay had pulled his gun out of his pocket and fired it at Giles. It hit the other man in his stomach and he fell to the floor, pressing his hand to the wound and wincing in pain. Grinning to himself, he turned back to Tara, recovering his grip on her arm.
Giles: Damn it Peter, let her go!
Mr Maclay: I’m sorry, Rupert. We’ve got a train to catch.
It was at that exact moment, the train came into view. It was also at that moment Willow, Xander and Oz ran onto the platform.
Willow: Tara!
Tara spun around and found Willow running towards her.
Tara: Willow….
She turned back to her father.
Tara: I-I told you! I t-told you sh-she’d find me!
Mr Maclay: Too bad she’s not going to be alive to save you.
His hand rose again, gripping the handgun tightly. Out of Buffy and Faith appeared. Cursing loudly, Faith broke out into a sprint, heading straight for Tara and her father. Mr Maclay didn’t know what hit him. Faith lunged at him from behind, pushing him to the floor and throwing his aim off completely. It was then everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Tara turned her head to look at Willow, a huge smile of relief appearing on her face and she began running towards her. Mr Maclay threw Tara off him, getting to his feet. Picking up the discarded handgun, he raised his hand again and pointed it at Tara. The blonde was focusing her attention on Willow, so she didn’t see this happening. Fortunately, Willow did. Her expression turn to one of pure terror before she reached into her pocket and took out a handgun no one knew she had. She had fired it before anyone noticed. The next thing anyone saw, was Mr Maclay hitting the floor.
TBC...........................
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Questions? Comments?
~ Jen