Captain Red and the Denizens of Mars

[bijoux2]

wow! Wow! I'm speechless. This story has all the elements I'm always looking for in a fic. Construction, entertainment and depth. I really, really, like it. The title is a little unfriendly? But I guess you had your reasons for choosing it. Truthfully, I don't get it. But that's my one and only criticism. other than that? Perfection!





update soon, please!!!





bijoux

Edited by: bijoux2 at: 3/28/04 1:48 pm

[ladydameon]

Hot stuff!!



Okay, I'm hooked - and I usually don't go for ubers. Keep it coming b/c this kitten ready to beg for more.

ladydameon

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

Goddess of Violence

[russ]

Hi Alcy,



I guess it's about time I get around to commenting on this story. Actually, looking at the title I almost didn't read it -- sounded too Buck Rogersish. Then I saw the author's name, and decided to give it a try. So glad I did; it's a real good story, with strong characterisation, adventure, mystery, drama, conflict -- and we haven't even met the Martians yet.



As in WYTN, Buffy is not coming off too well here. Her initial reaction of blaming Willow was understandable at the time, but years have passed and she's still holding on to anger when the grief has had time to subside. So far she's threatened to murder Willow by pushing her over the side, turned the other fliers against her (Faith's sucker punch), and assigned Tara as Willow's roomie, presumably to cause her as much embarassment and humiliation as possible. From Tara's actions, I assume she has been told some horror stories about Willow.



On the other hand, Willow isn't exactly blameless, either. While no doubt the accident was beyond her control, you'd think it would have made a more cautious pilot of her. Doing stunts close to the ground is tempting fate. To carry on in such a way after the crash makes me wonder if she's harbouring a death wish.



Looking forward to this story's development, both in terms of personal lives, and the "War of the worlds" plot.



Russ

[lipkandy]

hey kiwi,

I managed to find some time to do a drive-by of the Kitten board and 'discovered' this crazy good new romp of yours. heh. I love your idealized version of the past. the fact that you are so careful to get the physical details of the time period right while you ignore the ugliness of sexism and homophobia so that our girls get to be the heroes.



and it's a great ride so far. as usual, your pacing is just right and I love the twist of Tara being in the rival Slayer squadron. it's obvious she's heard only the worst about Captain Red, but I'm sure 'events' will make it impossible for these two to stay apart.



anyway, thanks again for another great read!



xomel

[Tempest Duer]

Hey Alcy, thanks for the explanation... but you know I have to say, that Buffy should have realized that there was nothing that Willow could have done. It's not like she wouldn't have done everything possible to save Dawn. Honestly, I think she's just being childish. Grieving is important, but how is hating a friend going to help?



Oh well. I was glad to see an update.

Saying that up is down will not make up, down.



~Gene Burns

[Grimlock72]

Well I am horrible pro-Willow biased, I know this. Still even a slight more neutral person would consider that Buffy seems to be stuck in the 'blame somebody' phase of 'grieving'. Thats just to bad for her mostly because that way she'll never deal with it properly.



Oh yes, much interested in the Devils response to Willow's rather off-color eye. Or maybe they're used to small fights ? The worst that could happen is them being send back to the mainland and they can be reasonably sure that won't happen, heh. Bring it on



Can't say I feel much sympathy for Buffy, for Dawn sure.. I do wonder what Joyce's reaction was by the way. Did she visit Willow in hospital ? Quote: "You had control of that plane.my little sister was in your hands Willow!" , yeah well you Buffy gave her permission for that.. if she didn't trust Willow she shouldn't have. Or heck she could have flown herself. Kinda easy to blame others. Easy enough to tell a pilot how to fly when you're on the ground.



Oh yeah, about Buffy giving impassioned speeches... that had me remember some dreadfull ones from the last season. Going on and on and on... yech.



I'm sure Buffy is a qualified squadron-leader but I can't see her being placed on the same carrier as Willow (with Buffy requesting it be kept secret) as crude and unusual punishment. I sincerely hope Willow will never get into a position where she has to rescue Buffy (or, worse, the other way around).



Soooo... Willow basicly had to cope all alone with having 'killed' Dawn ? (whats the proper word there ?) Hardly fair, how did she do that ?



Then again I never expected any story to make up for Buffy's attitude against Willow. That is just not possible in my world



Buffy can stay stuck in her blame-game for all I care, thats mostly causing herself troubles anyway. Just as long as she stays the hell away from Willow.



There, all done...



P.S. I almost expected Tara to wake up from Willow's nightmare and to be looking at her



Grimmy

--
"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

Edited by: Grimlock72 at: 3/29/04 9:39 am

[shuyaku]

Okay - the explanation does help, but as others have said Buffy is not coming across very well in this story so far. And Faith still needs to get decked for the sucker punch she threw earlier (didn't any of Red Devils notice Red's shiner?) I'm sure Willow feels horrible about the accident (and I wouldn't put it past her to wish she was the one that died that day instead of Dawn). Russ mentioned something of a death wish - I see it more as maybe a subconcious challenge of fate.



I'd love to know what Buffy has told her squadron, especially Tara of course, about Willow and for that matter if any of the Red Devils know anything about it as well.



Great stuff!

-shuyaku

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

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

[4WiccanLuv]

Yipes, I was hoping it wasn't a death. It would be easy for me to say Buffy is being an unreasonable, but I can't. People grieve differently and it's obvious her loss is easier to accept if she has someone to blame. Her own guilt must be eating her up, since she should've been the one taking Dawn up that day. She also hasn't been able to see past her grief to realize that Willow loved Dawn too. Don't know what it's gonna take for her to come around, but somewhere deep in her heart, she's gotta know that Willow wasn't responsible, it was an accident.



Poor Willow, what a heavy burden to carry all alone. Even though it was accidental, there has to be some degree of guilt involved on her part too. I'm glad Tara's there now, perhaps when she gets to know Willow, she'll show her some compassion and offer some comfort, since it's obvious others have not. This is all so terribly sad! After the mess hall and scotch, for a moment it seemed Tara wanted to be close to her, then became skiddish and ran. No doubt recalling all the awful things she's been told about Captain Rosenberg! This is gonna take a while….cool!



Great update Alcy!! Keep up the good work, this story gets better and better!

"Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others." - Groucho Marx

[KiwiAlcyone]

browsing viewer: Imagine the absolute horror that Buffy would have felt watching the plane with her little sister in it crashing and the knowledge that she was supposed to be the one to take Dawn up that day.

I agree, Buffy is very angry, angry at herself for not taking her sister up and in turn angry at Willow because she feels that Willow could have done more to prevent the landing going so badly.

blue and green wings: The reason that Buffy can’t accept it is because she still believes that Willow could have done something…or maybe that the plane flipping was due to an error on Willow’s part. We’ll have to see what happens…I’ll be nice I promise!

bijoux2: Thanks so much, I’m really glad you’re enjoying the fic. Um…the title…I didn’t mean for it to be unfriendly. I was going for something adventurey sounding much like the Indiana Jones movies…but you found the fic alright and its still okay despite the title?

ladydaemon: I'm now an uber nut but I can understand the not normally going for them, there was a time when I wouldn’t read them at all. I’m glad you’re enjoying this one and I’ll be sure to include much W/T goodness! I’m worthy of begging? Wow, but you probably won’t have to, I try and update as often as RL allows.

russ: Thanks so much for giving this fic a go! I never watched Buck Rogers…I take it you had a bad experience? I must have something against Buffy, I never thought I did but between WYTN? and this, she is certainly not getting a good run.

And you make a good point about Willow’s involvement in the accident, it raises even more doubts as to who’s fault it was and gives Buffy another reason to hold onto her anger. Willow is a daredevil pilot who knows how damn good she is but it wasn’t just her life she was endangering, it was Dawn’s as well.

I’m looking forward to the War of the Worlds plot too…heroic Willow and Tara…I dunno about other kittens, but I think that’s hot!

lipkandy: heya! I’m glad you could join us and yeah, I’m so going for just the adventure and none of this sexism or homophobic crap that could’ve gotten in the way if I went down that path. There’s going to be enough going on in this fic without our girls having to hide their relationship.

Thanks so much and I’ll try and keep the good stuff coming!

Tempest Duer: Buffy does need to see some sense and perhaps holding on to her grief for such a long time is a bit ridiculous. But I think that she has held on to it for this long because it drives her and it has got to the point where she doesn’t know how to let it go and forgive Willow. It’s a part of who she is. Sad…but I’ll work on the relationship between them.

shuyaku: I think Willow’s black eye was explained away by the convenient ‘I fell down the stairs’ excuse. She’s not too keen to let on to the rest of the Devils what happened and in light of what’s going to happen in the next chapter…their Captain getting a shiner is going to be the last thing on their minds.

I will definitely be going into the accident more and Willow’s thoughts on what happened in future chapters.

Grimlock72: Buffy hasn’t dealt with Dawn’s death at all and it is having an impact on how she lives her life.

You up for a bit of biffo between the squadrons? Maybe I can arrange that.

I’ll delve into Willow’s feelings over the accident, I just want to wait until I have certain character relationships developed a little further. And yeah, there isn’t really anything that can justify Buffy’s actions…short of it being completely Willow’s fault, which I didn’t want to do.

And yes, Buffy can stay the hell away from Willow, for the meantime at least…Tara on the other hand...

4WiccanLuv: I really like your analysis of the accident, it’s great and you see things from Willow’s pov perfectly.

And yes, bring on another Alcy fic where Willow and Tara skirt around the issue of being in love…even though we all know they damn well are! Hmm, or perhaps they’re not yet in this fic…dammit we need more W/T togethery goodness!

Thanks so much, I’ll try!



Thanks so much everyone, you guys rock!

The next chapter is taking a while, it's a long 'un but i hope to have it up after work or at the latest tomorrow.



- Alcy

Spike: "C'mon vampires...grrr...nasty! Let's annihilate them for justice and for puppies and Christmas...right? Let's fight that evil! Let's kill something! Oh, come on!" - Doomed

[barnabasvamp]

Okay, have to admit I'm not usually into these kind of fics, but you've managed to get me hooked!



Poor Willow, what a terrible thing to have to carry around. It's no wonder she hasn't allowed herself to get close to anyone. Maybe Tara will be able to help her.



As for Buffy, she has a right to be angry....But how long can she continue to keep the anger inside her? Maybe Tara will be able to help with this issue also.



BV

It's the passion in a kiss that gives to it its sweetness; it is the affection in a kiss that sanctifies it.

[daydreamer]

Perfect. Just perfect. Like morning coffee.



The flashback was utterly heartwrenching. It brought me to tears.



Please keep the updates coming and fast. I'm so taken by the story. Truth is, I like all your fics. But this is, by far, my favorite. Although the impatient in me wanted and to just get it on, I actually enjoy the slow buildup and the unhurried unravelling of the story. You are a gifted writer. I'm envious.



Thank you for writing such beautiful stories about Willow and Tara.



I can't wait for the next update.



Soonish, please?

Edited by: daydreamer at: 3/30/04 6:28 pm

[KiwiAlcyone]

barnabasvamp: hee hee, gotcha! I hope I can keep you hooked with this little fic.

And of course we all know that Tara will do her very best to help Willow...she doesnt know it yet but its something that she happens to be very good at.

And yeah, Buffy is definitely in pain with the unrequited anger and so forth, I'm looking forward to dealing with all this past history in the future.



Chapter Six is very, very nearly done...just proofing it right now.



Alcy

Spike: "C'mon vampires...grrr...nasty! Let's annihilate them for justice and for puppies and Christmas...right? Let's fight that evil! Let's kill something! Oh, come on!" - Doomed

[blue and green wings]

might i saw...wow! i am loving this fic. i love the whole war of the worlds concept. the slow buildup is good, and gives me something to look forward too. and i'm all after reading what happened to tara's mom. update soon?

---

If someone like you/ Found somone like me/ Then suddenly/ Nothing would ever be the same/ My heart would take wing/ And I'd feel so alive/ If someone like you/ Found me...
"Someone Like You" from the musical Jekyll and Hyde

Edited by: blue and green wings at: 3/30/04 7:03 pm

[KiwiAlcyone]

Chapter Six - “The Sky Falls – Part One.”





Egypt, 1922



“Dr. Maclay, it’s just so weird…I’m mean, it’s obviously not Ancient Egyptian…or maybe it is and we just haven’t seen anything like it before…oh…oh-oh! This could be one of the finds of the century!” Kathy Rogers said in a very out of breath voice as she scurried to keep up with the other woman’s longer legs.



“Kathy, slow down or you’ll burst a blood vessel,” Diana Maclay said with a smile as she wiped her dusty and sweaty brow with her handkerchief.



Diana stood still for one moment, her blue eyes surveying the general area where whatever it was had lain at rest under the sands, probably for more than a millennia. She was a fairly tall woman, a long, her lithe body clad in a khaki shirt and shorts. Her blonde hair was barely visible from where it had been tucked up under a wide brimmed hat. She was a beautiful woman, only faint smile lines around her eyes and the corner of her mouth indicated that she was actually in her thirties.



“Do you think I’ll get the credit for it…it is on my dig site,” Kathy continued to speak in a hopeful tone.



Diana gave Kathy a ‘look’ that said she was getting a little carried away. It was followed very quickly by small, warm smile to which Kathy responded with a sheepish grin.



“So, how’s your family?” Kathy asked as they walked over the rocky ground.



“Just fine when I left them thank you…although Robert has probably been driven crazy looking after the farm and the kids by himself and we brought Donny a sled for Christmas so I sincerely hope there are no broken limbs waiting for me when I get home,” Diana chuckled.



“And you have a little girl as well don’t you?”



“Tara…she begged and begged to be allowed to come with me this trip but with school and everything…I told her she might be able to come for the summer.”



“That’ll be great,” although as she said it Kathy wasn’t too thrilled at the idea of having a child running around the site.



“I hate leaving them…they try and put on such brave faces whenever I go away, they’re both such wonderful, bright children…” Diana looked at Kathy and smiled apologetically, “Sorry…I could gush about them for hours.”



“That’s alright Dr Maclay…ah, here we are.”



Diana paced out the last few steps to the site which had been cordoned off with ropes. She frowned and tried to puzzle out what it was that she was seeing. When the call from the site had come through to the museum in Cairo, Diana had listened to Kathy’s breathless tones with a patience that only someone who had small children could possess. She had agreed to make the trip out to the dig site but had fully expected to find a World War One relic or some other piece of rubbish. However, as she knelt down beside the smooth metallic surface of what had been uncovered so far she was beginning to think that it was indeed a find of significance. Unknown significance of course because Diana had no more idea of what it was than Kathy did. It did very much look like the wing of strange plane…



“You think it’s some sort of flying…thingee?” Kathy asked standing just behind her, echoing her thoughts.



“I’m not sure…I know a fair bit about aircraft, having an eleven year old son who just can’t get enough of them would turn anyone into an expert. Though this just seems to be…unworldly, is that even a word?” Diana pictured her son’s bedroom and the model aircraft hanging from the ceiling, this was quite unlike any of them.



Diana reached out towards it and held her hand just above the surface. It was a strange thought but she could have sworn that the air around it suddenly became warmer. A low pitched hum filled her ears, buzzing, getting inside her head. She felt as though an insect had flown in her ear.



“Can you hear that?” she asked, looking over her shoulder at Kathy.



“Hear what?” Kathy asked with a frown.



Diana shook her head to say ‘don’t worry’ and lowered her hand slowly, the buzzing and the warmth increased. She reached out a single hand to touch the surface but when she came within inches of contact he hand felt as though it were magnetised. Her skin slammed down on the surface and it was burning with an intense heat.



“Was it hot when you touched it?”



“No, just felt like it had been buried in the desert, all sandy and stuff…smooth beneath that though…that’s about it,” Kathy shifted from one foot to the other, she hated not knowing what she was talking about.



Diana nodded and tried to pull her hand away but found it stuck fast…as though it were glued. Her brow furrowed at first in bewilderment and then in fear when the metal began to glow even warmer. In mere seconds it was glowing red hot, Diana felt her skin begin to burn painfully and a small whimper escaped her throat. She was about to tell Kathy to go and fetch some help when the buzzing suddenly culminated in a piercing whistle. She clapped her free hand over her ear but it did nothing to block the sound out, it was actually inside her head.



“Dr Maclay?” Kathy asked when she suddenly noticed a strange look on the other woman’s face…not to mention her strange behaviour.



Diana didn’t reply, she just looked as though she were in pain. All of a sudden her head snapped back and her eyes glazed over as she stared upwards.



“Dr Maclay?” Kathy tried to place a hand on the older woman’s shoulder and break her from this strange trance but she was flung backwards by an unknown energy that radiated from her.



Kathy scrambled backwards using her hands, all the while watching in terror as Diana started to shake uncontrollably. Her lips moved as though she were trying to say something but no words would form. The energy crackled and sizzled in the air, glowing first a faint green before becoming an intense red. So intense Kathy felt the heat radiating from it.



“No, you can’t!” Diana suddenly screamed, “We won’t give it to you without a fight!”



There was a huge flash, Kathy had to advert her eyes for a few seconds. When she turned back the glow was gone and everything returned to normal. Diana Maclay was lying facedown across the metal, unmoving. Kathy scrambled to her feet and ran to her side. She felt desperately for a pulse.



“Someone help me!” she yelled at the top of her lungs.



Oh please God no,Kathy kept repeating in her head as she waited for help to arrive, “Someone help!”



Oregon, 1922



Tara sat poised on her brother’s shiny new red sled at the top of a snow covered hill. Her breath came in quick gulps, her breath freezing in front of her face. It seemed so steep as she looked down it, stretching on for ages and they were sure to go very fast indeed. She wasn’t so sure if this was such a good idea anymore…



“You ready?” Donny asked from behind her.



“Y-yes…I t-think so, slowly Donny please…slow…” she gripped the rails at the side a little more tightly.



He brother laughed, “You’ll love it Tare!” and with that he pushed the shed over the rise, jumping on the sled just as it began sliding downwards. The runners on the sled were smooth being brand new and they gathered speed very quickly as it raced down the slope. Tara felt the cold winter air biting her cheeks but her mouth quickly spread into a huge grin. It was fantastic, shooting down the slope as though at any second they might take off and up into the sky.



“Woo hoo!” Donny was yelling from behind her.



Tara laughed happily, soon joining her brother in his exuberant shouts. Where there had previously been fear at the thought of sliding down the slope all too fast…there was nothing but exhilaration…



Someone was crying in pain…a scream, a sob…



Tara’s eyes widened and her grin vanished as she heard the sounds of someone in pain in her mind. She felt hot all of a sudden, even though she had previously been quite cold in the snow. Images, thoughts rushed through her head…she saw pictures in her mind of places she had never been. Yet they were familiar…sand…mountains, strangely shaped rocks. Tara remembered the postcard they had received from her mother in Egypt the day before, the pictures in her mind were the same…only real. Her mother was the one crying…



“Donny…Tara…I love you both so much…”



“Mama?” Tara said it aloud without intending to.



“What was that Tara?” Donny asked her between loud yells of excitement.



She heard her mother scream again inside her head, something was hurting her…no something was killing her…There was something else in Tara’s mind with the thoughts of her mother…a shadow she couldn’t make out…but she knew that whatever it was it was hurting her mother and it terrified her.



“Mama!” Tara felt something tear into her mind, she felt the pain, “Ow!”



She lost her grip on the sled and before she could stop herself, tumbled from the fast moving platform. Tara hit the soft snow hard, sending showers of it up around her as she rolled down the slope. She couldn’t stop herself, over and over she rolled until she was dizzy. Finally she came to a sliding halt at the bottom, she lay on her back staring up at the sky and feeling very scared. She heard someone yelling for her, the sound of boots hurrying through the snow. Seconds later Donny came to kneel beside her, a scared look on his face as well.



“Tara, are you killed?” he asked, awkwardly brushing snow from her face with a mitten covered hand, “Please don’t be killed..I-I’ll be in trouble if you are.”



No…she was still alive and yet she had a terrible feeling in her gut. It hurt so much she started crying. Her brother looked down at her with the expression of one who was totally out of their league. He kept patting her cheek as though that would somehow help.



Tara was eventually able to sit up with her brothers assistance, she felt cold tears on her cheeks, almost frozen in the winter air. For some reason she couldn’t stop blubbering feeling much younger than her nine years. Her brother was flustered, he kept trying to sooth her with awkward sounds. As he helped her to her feet he patted her back.



“Come on, we’ll get you back to the house…you can walk alright can’t you,” he looked at her legs to check that she was standing and that nothing looked broken.



Tara allowed herself to be half led, half pushed back up the hill and towards home. She stumbled along in a blind daze, not knowing or being able to understand what had just happened. The only thing she knew was that it had something to do with her mother…something terrible had happened…



a few days later…



Tara sat eating her porridge before school. As she spooned it into her mouth, Donny was on the other side of the table making silly faces in an effort to cheer her up. He was still very disgruntled that she had ruined a whole weekend of sledding by refusing to go out again with him after her spill.



There was a knock at the front door and Tara and Donny both looked up. Their father came from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. The look on his face said he was obviously wondering who could be stopping by this early in the morning and for what reason. He moved out into the porch and opened the door, Tara and Donny both hurriedly got out of their chairs and hid at the kitchen doorway…curious as to who it could be. The door opened to reveal two uniformed police officers who removed their hats when they said hello. Donny and Tara frowned at each other before looking back to the door.



“Mr Robert Maclay?” one of them asked in a solemn voice.



“Yes officer, how can I help?” there was a note of suspicion in Robert Maclays voice.



“We’ve come about your wife…Diana Maclay…”



“She’s not here,” Robert replied quickly, defensively, “Diana is in Egypt working on a dig…she’s an archaeologist you see…”



“We’re very sorry Mr Maclay…” one of them began in a sombre tone.



“Has something happened to Diana? Please tell me…what has happened to Diana?”



“There was some sort of accident, we don’t have very many details…”



“Accident? Is she alright? She isn’t…” Robert’s voice rose slightly in pitch, an urgency to it that indicated how scared he was.



Mama!



“We’re sorry Mr Maclay…your wife died…”



Tara felt her brother’s hand shoot out and grab her shoulder, fingers digging in a little hard and yet she didn’t even notice that it hurt. She reached her own hand up to cover his, feeling it shake uncontrollably. Tara didn’t hear what the rest of the two police officers had to say, she was too busy watching her Daddy’s face as it became progressively sadder to the point where she knew he was about to cry. She had never seen him cry before…not ever and that scared her, really made her believe that what the policemen had said was true.



Robert closed the door in a daze, he turned around and saw two faces peering at him from around the kitchen doorway. He tried so very hard to keep his emotions in check…not wanting the children to see him break down. Yet before he knew it a sob burst from his throat, he pressed his hand to his mouth firmly. Tara and Donny both looked so scared…so young…he held out his arms weakly and they needed no further invitation. Both Donny and Tara crossed the short distance in a great hurry and threw themselves into their father’s arms as sobs racked both their bodies.



Tara buried her face in her fathers strong chest as the tears kept coming, her fingers gripping his shirt until her knuckles were white. It hurt so much, even as he stroked her back soothingly and whispered that everything would be alright in a hollow voice. Tara knew everything was not alright as she choked on her tears. She was terrified because she had felt it happen. She had felt her mother die.







The Sky Falls - Part Two





Biggin Hill Air Command base, 1936



The day the sky fell dawned bright in comparison to the day before which had been a typical English winters day...dark and raining. Now the winter sun shone down on the green landscape. It was still fairly chilly but at last it felt as though it should be warm. Indeed, Corporal Greg Farnham felt warmer than he had in days as he whistled while he made his way towards the number two hanger. Greg was repairing a Draken that some numbskull pilot had come in to land with its undercarriage still up. The damage wasn’t too bad, it was mostly the bent prop which would need replacing completely. He paused once he reached the hanger and pulled out the cigarette that he had earlier tucked behind his ear. Checking to see that his sergeant wasn’t anywhere in the vicinity he lit it up and glanced around at the still waking air base. A line up of Drakens sat on the edge of the field waiting for their pilots to take them up for an early morning exercise. In the field just beyond the airstrip Greg could see a farmer mustering his dairy herd. A perfect morning…



On any other similar morning, Greg’s musings would have been completely correct. What he didn’t know as he stubbed out the butt of his cigarette, was that this was the day that they course of history was destined to change. Greg hadn’t even started work as he walked into the hanger and already he was counting down until his morning tea break.



“Heya Danny boy,” he waved greeting to another mechanic as he turned to enter the hanger.



“How’s that Draken looking?” Danny asked him with a wink.



“Fine no thanks to the moron who was flying…”



Suddenly there was a huge crash and Greg and Danny both spun around to see an explosion erupt on the far side of the field. As Greg stared in surprise he wondered for a moment if the munitions dump had gone up. Someone’s going to be singed around the edges for smoking too close to the ammo! The two men stared in confusion until there was a second explosion, closer this time. A steady whine filled the air as the air raid siren was activated and it was quickly followed by men running from the hanger towards the nearest air raid dugout. Greg joined them, sprinting for the low, sandbagged trench that seemed to be miles away. He threw himself in and landed on top of another man.



“Steady on chum!” his squashed victim picked himself back up, “Anyone would think it was the end of the world.



Greg looked upwards as a high-pitched drone filled the air overhead. It made everyone look up to see the same sight. A single black shape banked over the airfield…at first Greg thought it was a very large, black bird. Then he realised it was some sort of plane, although it was unlike anything he had seen before. It was a dark shape that seemed to swallow the blue sky around it, Greg felt a chill run down his spine just from looking at it. The aircraft expert in him wondered how it could possibly stay in the air. It was more of a flying wing than the sort of plane used by Air Command. He couldn’t see a propeller or a tailplane or flaps or anything else that even made it look like it should be able to fly.



He had no time to muse over it further. He was forced to duck his head when more explosions erupted closer than the first. The lone high-pitched drone was joined by others and Greg realised in fright that there were dozens of them screaming through the air. He risked another quick glance to see one sweep low over the field, blue lights burst from the wingtips and strafed the field. When the lights hit the parked Drakens, the planes went up quickly in balls of flame. Greg’s eyes widened as he realised they were bullets of some sort…heading this way, fuck! He ducked just as they smacked into the sandbags above his head, showering him in dirt and sand.



He looked straight up as the black bird shape flew right above the trench. A coldness crept over his entire body as he watched it continued on towards the hangers. In a sickening crash of twisted metal and exploding glass, the blue bullets ripped the nearest structure to pieces.



“What are they?” Danny gasped, “What the fuck are they?”



“Something the krauts cooked up!” another cowering mechanic yelled over the din.



“I don’t know but for some reason I don’t think they’re German…” Greg said as he huddled against the wall of earth that made up the side of the trench.



He gathered his knees to his chest to stop them shaking and wrapped his arms around them. All of a sudden it was so very cold again even though the sun was still shining brightly. Another explosion burst meters from their trench and Greg slammed his hands over his ears after the noise almost blew out his eardrums. Showers of dirt rained down on them and clouds of smoke obscured his vision, blocking out the sun. Greg buried his head in his arms and whimpered as the sun stopped shining.



*****



Willow glanced around at the other pilots assembled in the tiny briefing room and wondered why they had all been called at this hour of the morning. The way everyone was rushing around it was almost as though there was a war on. Willow’s eyes widened and a shiver ran down her spine…Holy crap…war…



She found herself a seat near the back of the room and sat forward like an eager child. Boone was pacing up and down the small space at the front of the room, waiting for everyone to be seated. He glanced out at the gathering of pilots and Willow saw for the first time a complete lack of disdain on his face and the familiar sardonic grin that Boone usually wore had disappeared completely. They were replaced by a look that was strictly serious business, he had suddenly ceased being an arrogant prick to become the Commander of a naval vessel. He cleared his throat once and this was very quickly followed by an immediate cessation of all other sounds in the room. Everyone turned their gaze to Boone, all wearing the same expectant but wary look that Willow knew was on her own face.



He began to pace again, leaving them all in a painful silence. Willow saw Tara sitting on the opposite side of the room, for some reason her eyes always sought out the blonde wherever she was. Willow found Tara staring down at her lap, her hair obscuring most of her face but from the small patch of cheek that Willow could see was even paler than usual. She wore a thick woollen hat and her arms were wrapped tightly around herself as though she were trying desperately to retain heat. It was cold…but not that cold.



Willow had no more time to wonder what was up with the strange blonde because Boone finally began to speak.



“At 0700 hours this morning a synchronised aerial invasion destroyed the Air Command bases at Biggin Hill, Kenly, Manston, Hawkinge, Shoreham…”



Willow’s jaw dropped as Boone continued to list the names of almost every major air base in Southern England…an invasion…



“Also other key army and navy bases were hit at the same time. In a single strike the enemy succeeded in rendering useless almost sixty percent of our total military forces…” Boone’s voice was tight, there was an anger there that was barely controlled, “We have sketchy reports filtering in from the States, from continental Europe to say the same thing…a single synchronised strike against key military targets throughout the world…”



“The world?” a pilot near the front said incredulously, “Then who…”



“We have no reports as to who it was…strange reports are coming in but as of yet we haven’t been able to make an intelligent guess and I can tell you no further information except to say that from now on the fifth fleet is on full alert. We continue into the North Atlantic staying under the net at all times and will wait for further instructions from the suits in power…”



“What if they’re all dead?” someone piped up nervously.



“There will be no more questions, the officers mess is closed…we’re at war gentlemen…and ladies…Squadron Captains will report to me at 0630 hours tomorrow morning. That will be all until further notice.”



He strode purposefully from the room and as soon as the door closed behind him, the room erupted into a tirade of conversations, everyone speaking at once, everyone with a question to ask.



The Devils all turned to Willow as though she knew something more than they did.



“Way to go Boone, a new method to instil confidence in the troops…not tell them anything as to what the fuck is going on! Will, you must know something more?” Alex asked.



“Synchronised strikes worldwide?” Spike’s eyebrows raised sky high, “Okay now who the heck can muster the forces to manage that? It’s a bloody drill…no, a government conspiracy to try and scare the balls off us!”



“Well, they wouldn’t have to scare you very hard now would they cobber?” Charlie knuckled Spike’s head.



“Shut up you wanker!”



“Shut up all of you!” Willow jumped up to push Charlie and Spike apart, knocking her chair over, “I don’t know a bloody thing…I’ll pass on whatever Boone tells me tomorrow…but for now, just hit your bunks, try and get some rest.”



“Hah! Like we could!” Alex scoffed. “The world ending and all…”



“The world is not ending,” Dennis finally piped up, “We’re at war…”



He suddenly paled as he realised the full implications of the ‘w’ word that had just left his lips. His smooth, terrified face turned to Willow.



“You don’t think…the cities, my Mother’s in London…”



“I’m sure she’ll be fine Dennis,” Willow replied, although thoughts of her own parents also in London, crossed her mind, “Now all of you calm down…hit your racks, go play cards if you can’t sleep, knit yourself a pair of socks, jack off…whatever. I’ll have some more answers for you tomorrow.”





*****



Managing to escape from the rest of her squadron, Willow made her way to the fairly empty flight deck. The sky was grey, almost black, making it seem as though it were almost night instead of just midday. Willow looked skywards, wondering how much longer they had until they were sent up there to combat whatever it was that had torn through the pride of the English air force like it were butter.



Willow had always loved the idea of being a fighter pilot but going down in a flaming, glorious death was not exactly on her list of things to do in her life. She had always quite liked the idea of sitting in her armchair at an advanced age with a small horde of grandchildren gathered around her feet as she held them captivated with tales of her flying exploits. Crazy old nana Willow…



“Grandchildren…hah!” Willow said quietly to herself, Having grandchildren would require me to first have children…and that means having a fella, slight problem there Rosenberg. Maybe Alex will let me tell stories to his grandchildren…



“You know…” a voice said from behind Willow, “Talking to yourself is the first sign of lunacy.”



Willow whipped around, embarrassed and annoyed that her quiet reflection time had been disturbed, especially by the one person she could least deal with at this point in time…Tara Maclay.



“Yeah, well it’s worse to not talk at all!” Willow snapped back all too quickly.



Tara ducked her head and now that she could see her fully and up close, Willow saw the blonde was more than pale. There was almost no colour in her face at all, save for her lips being a faint shade of purple. Even her normally bright blue eyes seemed as though a shadow hung in front of them…dark and grey. Willow looked away, feeling guilty for snapping and yet at the same time feeling something of an entirely different and inappropriate nature. Tara was quiet and weird to say the least but there was something about her that held Willow in thrall. She wanted to know more about her…unravel the mystery that was Tara Maclay. Yet at the same time that was the last thing Willow had time or energy to spend doing…why did she insist on torturing herself?



So I like the woman…so what? I’ll get over it, I’ll deal…



Even so, as Willow turned back to look at the pale blonde once more she found herself holding her breath. She found everything about Tara fascinating, her beauty…her vulnerability. She wanted to cross the distance between them and take Tara in her arms, to protect her against whatever it was that was affecting her so visibly.



“I’m sorry,” Tara replied simply.



“Huh?” Willow asked, There you go again Rosenberg, showing your mastery of the English language.



Tara looked at her, a liquid gaze that managed to melt everything inside, turn her legs to custard.



What is it with me at the moment? Willow asked herself angrily, Willow, there’s a war on, W-A-R which normally means guns and killing and deadness, all the not so good stuff…and god I want to shag her! She clenched her fists tightly, annoyed at the way her hormones were raging at the worst of moments.



“For the way I acted last night, I was rude and I’m sorry…” Tara said quietly, all the while thinking and you scare me! What else was I supposed to do!



“That’s fine,” Willow replied quietly, “And I’m sorry too…about the way things are between us…”



“How do you mean?” Tara frowned.



“Awkward,” Willow said watching the blonde’s face closely for a reaction.



“I-I guess…” Awkward is an understatement…torturous would be a far better choice of word… “Things are a little…”



“Why is that?” Willow asked bluntly.



“I don’t know…perhaps we started off on the w-wrong foot…I mean, of course we did…you tried to throw me out of your room,” there was a hint of humour in Tara’s voice.



“More like opposite sides of the deck,” Willow grinned quickly to relieve her own tension, “You being in Buffy’s squadron and all,” Willow saw a flicker of something that might have been acknowledgement pass over the blonde’s features.



“I don’t know,” Tara said softly, “But even if it was, I don’t see why that should prevent us from being…friends…on friendly terms at least.”



“Me neither,” Willow admitted, friends is good we can start from there…friends can engage in fun nocturnal activities like…chinese whispers, midnight snacks…sex… Willow sighed in exasperation at herself.



She crossed to the rail and gripped it tightly, looking out over the dark ocean and the ships sailing upon it. Each one looked menacing, strong…perfect for what was about to happen. That was what Willow had to concentrate on, the all-important task at hand. She couldn’t do this with Tara…it wasn’t the right time…and very possibly never would be.



“Um…d-do you want to…grab that c-coffee?” Tara asked quietly, ducking her head again.



A chilling wind swept up off the sea, Willow watched as it blew Tara’s hair away from her face to reveal her alabaster skin. Willow just wanted to reach out and cup the cheek with her now trembling hand. Friends…



“Um…I’ll take a raincheck,” Willow replied, “I think I should go and check in on my guys…they’ll probably be at bursting point by now and I really don’t want any of them to get in trouble…not now…”



“O-oh…of course, you should totally be with your squadron…and I-I should be with mine…I-I’ll see you later s-sir…”



Willow gave Tara a ‘look’ and when the blonde saw it she couldn’t help but smile,



“Willow,” she added.



They continued to stare at one another for a few moments, Tara’s smile was frozen on her face and Willow’s eyes were sparkling even in the dull light. Both held their breath and yet neither noticed the other doing so. Finally Willow excused herself, she walked backwards for a few steps so she could keep her eyes on Tara a little longer before turning to walk down the stairs.



As Tara watched Willow go she finally let out the breath that she had been holding and only then because she had been beginning to see spots. She kept watching her back until even her red head disappeared, Tara turned back to the ocean.



She was looking out at churning waves and grey clouds but that wasn’t what she was really seeing. In her mind was a picture of a beautiful woman, a strong beautiful woman who was reaching out her arms to embrace her. Tara closed her eyes and imagined folding herself into her mother’s arms, a simple comfort she had been missing terribly for the past fourteen years.



“I’m scared Mama,” she whispered aloud.



The words sounded strange coming from an ace fighter pilot and yet Tara had good reason to be scared. More than anyone else on the ship, she knew what had happened. Even more terrifyingly…she knew what was to come…





TBC in Chapter Seven – “Captain Red unravelled.”



*****

Spike: "C'mon vampires...grrr...nasty! Let's annihilate them for justice and for puppies and Christmas...right? Let's fight that evil! Let's kill something! Oh, come on!" - Doomed

[russ]

Well, the plot thickens. So Tara had a psychic connection to her Mum, and experienced her death and so, presumably, her mother's communication with the creators of the artifact. This makes her a valuable intelligence source, if the high command knew or would believe it. On the other hand, they must have some knowledge of the alien technology, as the "net" is so far beyond anything else on Earth at the time.



The technology is going to be a key issue in this war. How can WWII vintage fighters hope to stand against the high-tech "flying wing" fighters the aliens use? I'm afraid flyers, as well as other service personnel, will have a short lifespan once the fighting starts. Heaven help the fleet (and our heroines), commanded by an ass like Boone in such circumstances.



On the personal side, it's good to see some first steps at a closer relationship between Willow & Tara. "On friendly terms" is better than avoidance, and with those two we know friendship will quickly bloom into something more. Especially when they realize how little time they may have; there's no time to take it slow in war.



Thanks for a gripping update.



Russ

[ShyCanuck]

Hi there,



I only found this story recently and have not been able to patiently wait for the updates. What a great idea for a fic...all that tension, angst and pain. I can't wait to see what happens next.



Thanks for taking the time to write such a great story. I look forward to the next update.

[Tempest Duer]

Cool... I likes the flashback sequence... I wonder what happened to Diana... I'm all interested.

Saying that up is down will not make up, down.



~Gene Burns

[TemperedCynic]

Simply a brilliant chapter, Alcy. you bring up the Martians for the first time, and tie in Tara and her family with the whole thing. Then "MARS ATTACKS!!" and the world's defenses are crippled by a well-coordinated attack. Although why the aircraft carrier was spared is beyond me. Willow and Tara's relationship is still brittle but gaining ground. Now all Willow has to do is unlock the mystery that is Tara Maclay and save the world from the Martians.

---

More than any other time in history, mankind faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly. Woody Allen (1935 - )

[Grimlock72]

That flashback was indeed painfull to read. Although when I realized it was about Tara's mother I sort of guessed something not-so-nice was about to happen. At least she had a supportive familly around.



We don't know anything about those attacking planes, but think about it; there must be a reason they went and destroyed the aircraft/fleet. If they couldn't be harmed they wouldn't have bothered. 60% destruction on surprise attack is fairly normal so that doesn't worry me. I'm wondering what will happen if a regular weapon is used v.s. those alien fighterplanes (remember that technology doesn't make invulnerable).



Curious that Willow didn't ask Tara if she was okay and why she was so white and looking ill. It's hardly a good condition for a fighter-pilot to take of to war... worrysome. Tara's psychic link also makes me wonder why she became a fighter pilot, revenge or conscripted ?



Lotsa interesting tidbits in this update, yep. Gooood story



Grimmy

--
"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

[ladydameon]

oh come on....you can't just stop here....



OK, maybe you can, its your story...but still, very cruel...



Is the anger between Buffy and Willow going to be resolved? I understand completely why Buffy is so...upset - for lack of a better word...but they gotta back together to survive!!

ladydameon

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

Goddess of Violence

[shuyaku]

The flashblacks are great - although I must admit, I too experienced some eye leakage this time around. Poor lil' Tara and Donnie (how often do you read that - never!). I can hardly wait to see what Tara really knows about what's going to happen



I'm glad W & T are at least speaking. Not great timing, but as Russ pointed out the pending disaster of war may speed them along a bit. But the pacing is great. And as I said in my last post, I wonder what Buffy has told her squadron about Willow. It seems to me that Tara is at least questioning Buffy's opinion on the matter.



Amazing stuff!

-shuyaku



ps: I also really like how you tell us the name of the next chapter at the end of the update. "Captain Red unravelled." The smoke you see is the gears in my brain slowly grinding back into motion

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

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

Edited by: shuyaku at: 3/31/04 1:24 pm

[barnabasvamp]

Wow, excellent update!



Poor Tara, not only did she have to deal with her mom's death, she experienced it also. So sad.



And now...War? Look forward to seeing where this goes!



BV

It's the passion in a kiss that gives to it its sweetness; it is the affection in a kiss that sanctifies it.

[sam7777]

Loving this fic. I like the AU you have set up and the link btw Egypt and the martians. Tara's mom being the the archelogist at site where the ship was found is a very interesting development. It's tragic how tara felt her death. Loving also Willow as Captain Red. The rift between Buffy and Willow is perfectly understandable but I hope they can work it out. it is a mystery why the plane flipped. Willow and Tara both deserve a purple heart for enduring the torture of keeping their hands off one another.

[4WiccanLuv]

WooHoo…thanks for the long update. There's so much going on, it gets curiouser and curiouser! This story is much with the coolness! Awesome Alcy!



I really like the place the girls have reached…friends…is good…for now! And I love their internal dialogue, it's a hoot!



BTW, nifty chapter title, "Captain Red unravelled." I don't suppose you mean Willow will be losing her clothing with Tara doing the unravelling? I'll just keep waiting!

"Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others." - Groucho Marx

[KiwiAlcyone]

daydreamer: Aw shucks, you make me blush. I’m glad you’re enjoying the slow build up, I think people must get sick of me and my torturous build-ups – I do like writing them. I’m only too happy to write Willow/Tara stories, they’re such great characters with so many stories to be told and this is the best place to share them.

blue and green wings: Roll on the Martians! Hopefully there will be much for you to look forward to in the future…and after the slow build up, hot gay love will hopefully be one of the most anticipated treats. Update coming soon!

russ: I’m keeping hush hush about Tara’s connection and what happened with her mother…watch this space to find out! But you make some good points russ

I’m also getting on to the whole technology issue and suffice to say, I’ve used some artistic license but hopefully it comes out believable. Hah! Who am I trying to kid, this is a sci-fi serial…none of it is supposed to make sense but I don’t want it to become outlandishly ridiculous.

And yes, how slow can you take things when you don’t know whether you’re going to die tomorrow or not?

ShyCanuck: Thanks so much for reading. Time writing Willow/Tara fics is definitely time well spent and knowing that people are enjoying them is more than enough reward.

Tempest Duer: For some reason I really like writing flashback scenes and this was my first go at writing either of our girls as a child so it was a challenge but one that I enjoyed immensely and I hope to do some more to fully expand on Tara and Diana’s story.

Tempered Cynic: Thanks so much Mike, glad you liked! The thing about my lovely little deus ex machina in the form of the ‘net’ is that no one can actually see the fleet so obviously it works even on the Martians. And yup, that’s all Willow has to do…not too much for Captain Red to handle.

Grimlock72: I have to admit I enjoyed writing a loving and close family for Tara and so her mother dying wasn’t at all very nice to write.

And I’m definitely going to go further into the alien technology despite the fact that I’m most comfortable writing character interaction rather than technical guff, it makes my head hurt…but its fun all the same.

And I’m definitely going to go into more of Tara’s backstory.

Thanks Grimmy.

ladydameon: Hee hee, sorry, I guess I do get to stop where I want but I try to keep the chapters coming so as not to leave you waiting. And I definitely will be looking further into the Willow/Buffy backstory and its resolution whether for good or bad.

shuyaku: I know, a poor lil Donny, who would’ve thought? We’ve got speaking at least which is a good start…because we all know where that can lead!

I like putting the title of the end of the chapter, little tidbit to tease I guess.

barnabasvamp: Thanks so much bv! Tara’s experience would have been terrifying for a small child and has no doubt impacted on the way she is now. And yes, much excitement to be had in the future with the war and all.

sam7777: Thanks for reading and I’m glad that you’re enjoying it. Oh yeah, great whopping medals for both our girls, one can only imagine how difficult it would be!

4WiccanLuv: Thanks so much, it’s cool you think this little fic is cool. The chapters just keep getting longer and longer…it’s a curse I tell you!

I love writing internal dialogue, that’s the advantage over TV, we can write what the girls are thinking rather than just saying…makes things all the more interesting.

And yes I would love the unravelling to be clothing too but…



Almost done kittens! A few easter eggs and many cups of tea and we almost have a chapter seven.



Alcy

Spike: "C'mon vampires...grrr...nasty! Let's annihilate them for justice and for puppies and Christmas...right? Let's fight that evil! Let's kill something! Oh, come on!" - Doomed

[KiwiAlcyone]

Chapter Seven – “Captain Red unravelled.”



Willow sat, her elbows resting on her knees in a casual pose as she watched the other squadron captains file into the small briefing room. It was six-thirty in the morning, a steaming cup of black coffee clutched in her blue hands. She yawned widely and took a gulp of the scalding liquid. Her stomach rumbled as she did so, impatient for breakfast. Willow shifted uncomfortably, she had never been good at mornings.



Buffy walked in and sat on the opposite side of the room, throwing a small, nondescript glance her way. Six other captains joined them. Captains Harrington and Rickman, the other two squadron captains from the Odysseus as well as the four captains from the Achilles. They all sat in bated silence as they waited for Boone to take his place at the front of the room. Dressed as impeccably as ever, even in the face of a crisis, Boone strolled in purposefully. He spun on his heels at the front of the room to face them all with a serious look on his face. There was determination on his face as well as anger, gone were all traces of sarcasm and cruel wit.



He was straight to the point, not wasting his words,



“Overnight…they attacked London, New York, Tokyo…all the world’s major cities…They’re in flames, ruins,” he paused as though he were letting his words sick in, someone who didn’t know him might think that he was struggling to get his words out.



“Our forces tried to mount a gallant defence but could do very little in the face of such an aerial onslaught…there was very little warning. What we do have left, has gone into hiding…has moved underground in an effort to avoid being wiped out altogether. Once we lose our capacity to defend ourselves, then they truly will have won.”



Willow sat still as his words washed over her…London was in ruins…the coffee cup shook in her hand so violently that some of the hot liquid splashed over her hand. She took a long gulp, wishing it were something a little stronger.



“Civilians?” Willow asked Boone quietly.



“The casualty rate was…phenomenal, much of the population of those cities was…lost,” as the words washed over her Willow saw something very much resembling sorrow on Boone’s face but it was gone in a split second, causing her to think that she probably imagined it.



Mum…Dad Willow thought as her gut twisted painfully. So many people must have died and yet they felt none of it in their little bubble.



“What are we dealing with Commander?” Buffy asked in a small voice, one of the few in the room who was thinking clearly enough to ask a sensible question, “Co-ordinated attacks of this magnitude…no one on earth has the power to do that…”



“That’s because no one on earth did,” Boone replied.



All around the room, eyes widened and jaws dropped to the floor. Seasoned pilots, career military men…they all went white and some even looked as though they might faint. An invading force from outer space…space monsters like in comic books. They were imaginary…not real and yet tell that to the people who had died. Willow just raised her eyebrows.



Well that explains a lot, she thought matter-of-factly, “Where are they? Can we kill them?” Willow surprised herself with the calm fury in her voice, thoughts of her parents in her mind.



Just ordinary people…her Dad owned a small hardware store and her mother was a primary school teacher…the most loving parents a girl could ask for. They had never done anything to anyone…her Dad coached a boys football team…had coached…



“We don’t know where they are Rosenberg, reports are that they come from the sky so we’re thinking a mother ship somewhere in earth’s atmosphere.”



“Great, how are we supposed to get at them up there?” another captain asked throwing up his hands in exasperation.



“I’m not interested in what we can’t do…frankly, none of us should be. I do know that these fuckers can be blown out of the sky. Reports are that several were shot down by anti-aircraft batteries…they crashed and burnt just like any other piece of machinery.”



“What about air-to-air?” someone gave voice to the exact question Willow was thinking.



“As of yet…no squadron has engaged them…” Boone sounded a little hesitant, “Enough speculation, we make north under cover of the net…”



“What’s north except lots of ice?” Willow asked, already shivering at the thought of being even colder than she was now.



“Salvation hopefully,” Boone replied, “We have reports complied from communication with home, I want you all to read through them, study them…we don’t know much about them but what we do I want you all to know it inside out…it could save your lives and those of your squadrons.”



Willow took the stack of typed pages that Boone handed her and flicked through them to find verbal descriptions of what had happened.



“Everyone is on full stand-by, that means flight kit and tin hats carried with you at all times…no exceptions. That’s all, dismissed.”



Willow gathered her things and stood, overhearing another pilot ask why they needed to carry their helmets if no one could get through the net. Willow remembered Boone saying it had been tested with a full naval bombardment. She knew full well that they were worried it would stand up to whatever it was that these…space invaders were going to shoot at it. Willow sighed as she walked out into the corridor to make her way to the hanger and her adjoining office.



There really is life out there in the stars…how fascinating…all I want to do is kill it…



*****



Willow entered her office which was really just a small cubby hole adjoining the hanger. However there was a chair and a desk, as well as a door to block out the usual bustle of the hanger. She left it open now, welcoming the sounds of mechanics working on the planes because it was familiar…comforting in a way. The smell of grease and aviation fuel filled her nostrils…the aroma of her life.



She reached into the top drawer of her desk, feeling beneath the untidy stack of papers and the assorted chocolate bars she had stashed there to find what she was searching for. It was there at the bottom and she pulled it out. A small stack of pictures held together with a rubberband. She pulled the band off and went through them one by one. They were family photos…some old and tattered from when she was just a small child.



Small Willow, her hair done up in bows, parents arms encircling her, holding her close. Her father was wearing his army uniform…he had been a clerk at army headquarters during World War One. A heart condition preventing him from being sent to the trenches where so many had died in the mud.



One of six year old Willow sitting in the cockpit of a plane that had seen service in World War One, a much too large leather helmet on her head and a huge grin on her face. Her first plane flight, sitting on the lap of the pilot…he had even let her hold the stick in her small hands. The beginning of everything…



Hanukah when she had just turned thirteen, Willow smiled sadly when she saw the overly frilly dress she was wearing…her mother had made her that dress, as she had made most of her clothes when she was younger. All so lovingly made with careful stitching, her name tag sewn into every item because she was forever losing her clothes at school.



Graduation from Air Academy, her and Buffy both in their brand new Air Command uniforms smiling proudly. Surrounding them were her parents, Mrs Summers and Dawn standing between Buffy and Willow. Willow pressed a light finger to the face of the girl smiling brightly with her big sisters cap perched on her head. She felt an unwelcome stinging sensation in her eyes and quickly moved that photo to the back of the pile.



The Devils from two years ago, all the same faces of the current squadron members stared back at her except one. Instead of Dennis’ young face there was another man, he seemed barely older than Dennis. His smooth, smiling face beneath a mop of tousled jet black hair, one arm thrown casually over Willow’s shoulders. Captain Theodore Thompson…



Teddy, Willow sighed as she moved that photo to the back of the pile as well, if there ever was a guy…it would have been you without a doubt…



The last photo had been taken just last month, her twenty-third birthday. The black and white picture showed the grey at her father’s temples but also the same dazzling white smile from when she was younger. Her mother held up the cake she had made in the shape of a red plane, twenty three candles making it look more like a hedgehog. She was standing behind her parents, an arm on each of their shoulders.



“Willow?”



Willow quickly shoved the photos back in the drawer, slamming it shut before she turned in her seat. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw Tara peering at her from around the door frame.



“I’m not interrupting or anything am I?” she asked hesitantly.



“Ah no…just doing my homework,” Willow held up the stack of papers Boone had given each of the squadron captains, “Can I help you with something?”



“N-no…I was just p-passing by your office and I saw…like I said, if I was interrupting I’ll make myself scarce…”



“No, no, don’t be silly. I’d offer you a chair but…” Willow glanced around at the tiny office.



“It’s fine, I’m fine standing,” Tara always found it far easier to make a quick exit when you were standing in the doorway rather than trapped in a chair.



“Has Buffy filled you in yet?” Willow pointed to the papers, really she just wanted to find a reason for Tara to stay an talk.



Tara shook her head, “I’ve heard rumours from the sailors, although most of them sound ridiculous. Something about little green men in spaceships…Martians. Although I’m almost tempted to believe them…”



“It’s probably not too far from the truth,” Willow replied, “Can you close the door, I don’t know if this stuff is for general consumption yet...it might send the crew into a panic.”



Tara closed the door behind her, all of a sudden it seemed as though she were practically sitting in Willow’s lap they were so close. Her heart beat out of control.



Willow on the other hand was taking her mind off Tara’s close proximity by imagining little green men plummeting to a fiery death after she had shot down their flying machine, “Little green fuckers…”



“Are you alright s-s…” Tara stopped herself just before she let the word ‘sir’ leave her lips, “Willow?”



Willow could at first only reply with a shake of her head as Tara’s empathic blue gaze stared at her, almost as though she were looking into her mind, her soul. Rather than feeling invaded, Willow felt safe, reassured.



“Boone just told us that London was destroyed…my parents live…lived in London…god I hate this, not knowing whether they’re dead or not and not knowing exactly what it was that killed them. I should’ve been there with them and instead I’m stuck floating somewhere in the Atlantic. Freezing cold while the world is being torn to pieces around me. Why aren’t we doing something? I need to do something…anything to feel as though I’m at least trying…” Willow put her head on the desk, squeezing her eyes shut tightly.



Tara watched the wave of emotions play across Willow’s features as she had spoken. To Tara, the red head was much like an open book, every feeling and reaction displayed on her features for her to see clearly. And yet she still couldn’t fathom her out…She saw and heard the pain as she spoke in clipped tones about her parents and her frustration. Tara cleared her throat quietly.



“My mother died when I was nine,” Tara didn’t want to tell Willow, she didn’t need or want sympathy from the captain and yet for some reason it was the right time, “She was an archaeologist and there was some kind of…accident…on a dig site in Egypt. She and I were…very close and it hurt so much after she died.”



“I’m sorry,” Willow mumbled.



“No…you don’t have to be…I was just telling you because, well…I don’t know really…perhaps I might be able to help you with some of what you’re feeling right now, it’s not good to bottle it up because then it just comes out at the worst time…”



Willow sat back up straight, “Look Tara…I really appreciate you trying to help but I don’t need it okay, I’m f-f…” Willow’s voice broke and she pressed her fist to her mouth.



Willow felt like crying and yet she wouldn’t, she hadn’t cried since Dawn’s death. After that she had refused to cry for herself again…she wasn’t worth tears. She heard Tara’s soft footsteps on the floor, moving towards her. She sat up to find Tara right by her side and she held her breath. She was so close she could smell the fragrant scent that was Tara…fresh, like an unnamed flower…soothing like a cool breeze on a stifling hot day. Willow felt her insides melt when Tara reached out both arms and placed them around her shoulders in a tight, warm hug.



Her cheek was pressed against Willow’s, she felt the smooth skin that she had been longing to touch ever since the first day she had lain eyes on the beautiful, unknown blonde standing on the Odysseus’ flight deck.



Tara’s heart was beating all too rapidly in her chest…an insistent and steady thump…thump…thump…It’s just comfort…that’s all, she is so alone, she needs someone to be there for her…and you’ve nominated yourself Tara Maclay? Are you sure you’re qualified… As Tara felt goose bumps rise over her skin and the shivers that ran through her body…she knew that she wasn’t up to it at all. She couldn’t trust herself with Willow because she knew what she wanted…



Suddenly, Tara found that Willow’s head had moved so that the corners of their lips were touching lightly. She felt Willow’s breath, it was so close. Then her lips moved a fraction…the tiniest of movements, just a light stroking of her lips and yet it was so very much more.



With one taste of Tara’s lips Willow felt herself grow faint. They were moist, soft and tasted like nothing she ever had before. Hungrily, she searched and found the rest of those lips, claiming them with a sigh. She caressed Tara’s full mouth with her own. She closed her eyes. Still the contact was soft…hesitant on both their parts.



Willow’s hand snaked up around the back of Tara’s neck, running up through her gloriously soft hair and drawing her down a little firmly. For a few seconds their kiss became insistent, bruising and passionate. In those seconds their hot breaths mingled to become one and Willow’s tongue flicked softly against Tara’s lips…



In a flash, the wonderful haven that was Tara’s lips and the weight of her warm body were both gone. Willow’s eyes opened in surprise to find Tara looking at her with a wide-eyed, frightened look on her face. She reached up with both shaking hands to smooth her hair back from her brow. She took a few furtive steps backwards towards the door and away from Willow. As Tara walked backwards Willow started to get up from her chair, a questioning look on her face. Tara held out a placating hand to keep Willow seated.



Don't get up please Willow...just don't come any closer...



“Tara?”



“W-what…what are we d-doing?” Tara asked, her back was now pressed up against the door, her hand on the door handle.



Willow stood slowly, not wanting to alarm the blonde further and yet wondering what on earth had just happened between them, “What’s wrong?”



“I-I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong idea…sir,” Tara said with emphasis on the last word.



“Gave me the wrong idea…Tara…what…”



“I don’t want…I mean, I can’t…look, I’m just sorry okay?”



Tara flung open the door and ran out the door without a glance back at a now very distraught Willow. Willow slumped back into the chair behind her, shoulders sagging. She hit her forehead with the palm of her hand.



“Stupid…stupid…stupid!” she spat angrily, god Rosenberg, she was just trying to help you and you turn on her like some horny…guy!



Willow rocked back on the hind legs of her chair as she debated whether or not to run after Tara. Suddenly someone came running and slid to a halt in her doorway. Willow gasped and fell backwards in her chair. She looked up to see Tad peering down at her, an amused look on his face. Willow just stared at him blankly, making no move to get up. He very quickly wiped the grin from his face,



“Willow…um, Captain Rosenberg sir, Boone needs a squadron for recon…the Devils up for it?”



Recon while there are bad guys out there that want to wipe everyone off the face of the planet?



“Sure,” Willow replied in a hollow voice.



*****



The net parted just wide enough for each of the Devils to filter out. Willow watched as she passed through the layer of pink cotton candy-like light that kept them safe and wondered what would happen if she flew right into it. Silly thought really…



Once outside, the Devils formed up in a tight, combat formation, all eyes scanning the sky warily, watching for any sign of black shapes hurtling towards them. They broke through the thin cloud cover, emerging into bright sunlight.



Willow squinted and lowered her goggles. As she scanned the sky from the head of the formation she felt far freer than she had at any time during the past few days. Almost as though the net had created a stifling atmosphere within its confines…ridiculous of course, it did no such thing and yet Willow felt it for some reason.



The rest of the Devils were uncharacteristically quiet as they flew. Usually the comm. was over loaded with excited and pointless chatter. The quiet was eerie, too eerie for Willow’s liking and she found herself wishing that someone would break the tension.



“You guys still with me?” she asked just to check although she knew full well if she looked out to her left and right she would see their Drakens close by.



A chorus of ‘yessirs’ came back very promptly and Willow was really worried…the Devils never called her sir…except Dennis.



“What’s up with you guys?” Willow asked.



“Well Will, these LGFs might pick up on out radio frequency and hone it on it,” Alex replied, almost in a whisper. He had coined an abbreviation of Willow’s term for the invaders, little green fuckers had become LGFs.



“If they wanted to find us they’d find us,” Willow replied testily, she did want to find them!



“All the same Will…”



“Okay, a fifty mile radial circuit of the fleet and then back, those are our orders, radio silence unless you see something.”



The flight settled into a peaceful joyride in the bright sunlight with occasional glimpses of the sea through the clouds beneath them. Willow almost forgot they had been invaded, it was so quiet and uneventful.



Where are you dammit?



*****



Yet as their circuit was almost completed a few hours later, Willow knew they were not going to show up just because she wanted to have a go at trying to blow them out of the sky. Willow pulled off one of her gloves, wincing at the cold as she wiped her sweaty brow with her just as sweaty palm.



All the Drakens landed unscathed back on the Odysseus after their nerve racking, silent flight. Each one relieved not to have run into trouble…all save Willow who was majorly pissed off. Once landed, the other pilots started their joking amongst themselves. Willow almost yelled at them in exasperation as their blasé comments about what they would have done if they had run into any LGFs annoyed her. They would have been scared shitless, all of them.



Willow wasn’t scared…she was disappointed and angry. She needed to go somewhere alone and hit something…



Willow practically ran down the stairs to the hanger, she pushed her way through the planes, the mechanics bustling around and to her office where she slammed the door. She fell to her knees and sat there staring into nothing. She clenched her fists to stop her hands shaking. The world was being invaded by a strange force that had succeeded in wiping out a large portion of the earth’s defences in a matter of days and now they were being shy. Willow yanked off her flying gloves and threw them at the wall where they hit with a dull thud.



She knew she should be worried about the way she was feeling…her desire to meet the enemy in combat was frightening. Willow had listened eagerly to veterans of World War One as they regaled younger pilots with tales of their flying battles over Europe. They spoke of the adrenalin overcoming their fear, the intense excitement of aerial combat where it was kill or be killed. Flying with death at every turn.



Is that it…I want to die? Willow knew the thought should scare her and yet she really did not care any longer, Everyone else I love is dead…so why the hell not me?



An unbidden memory surfaced in Willow’s mind as she knelt on the cold floor



…music filled her ears, a rousing chorus of a song she barely knew and yet she still sung along anyway. A large amount of alcohol always tended to fool her into thinking that her singing had somehow magically improved. Someone’s arm lay across her shoulders, it belonged to a laughing and equally drunk blonde. The two of them started an awkward Irish jig much to the amusement of other pilots surrounding them. Predictably it ended when the pair of them got carried away and suddenly found themselves on their backs in a tangle of limbs, laughing until their guts ached. Impulsively Willow lent over and kissed her friend on the cheek,



“I love you Buff,” though drunk her words were sincere.



“Will, you know I love you…”



Willow playfully batted her eyelashes and Buffy giggled, pushing her away with a gentle shove.



“…but if you ask me to have sex with you the answer is the same as its always been, no.”



“I’ve never asked you!” Willow replied indignantly, “Though admit it, you find me undeniably attractive and sexy.”



“I find you many things Will but foremost amongst them all is definitely sexy,” Buffy grinned, “Come on, my glass is all the way empty…more liquid refreshment required.”



“You think if I get you a little drunker I can have my wicked way with you?” Willow helped Buffy to her feet, the blonde stumbled forward into her arms.



“In your dreams Rosenberg…now which way is the bar? You’ll have to help me there because I think my feet are broken.”



Willow almost smiled at the memory. There had been many more like it involving way too much alcohol…or the ones where they had simply let the little devils within themselves run loose, festooning a visiting General’s jeep with toilet paper and fake shit or trailing the laundry of one unfortunate fellow recruit from the tail of a plane as they flew over the base.



I love Buffy, I always will god help me…



Images of another blonde filled her mind, this time with haunting blue eyes, a pale face…The ability to turn her knees to jelly and send her hormones into overdrive…



Tara…I don’t know whether to love her or hate her…Willow sighed, the only thing she did know was that everything had felt right when their lips had been pressed together. The thought of dying and never seeing Tara again was the worst one she could imagine.



I’ll live for her…whether she wants me or not, I’ll live for her…





TBC in Chapter Eight – Confessions.

Spike: "C'mon vampires...grrr...nasty! Let's annihilate them for justice and for puppies and Christmas...right? Let's fight that evil! Let's kill something! Oh, come on!" - Doomed

[Tempest Duer]

Oooh! Kissage! Nice... even though all the upset-ness happened after that. I'm glad that Willow isn't going to let herself die.

Saying that up is down will not make up, down.



~Gene Burns

[blue and green wings]

that was very lovely. we finally get to see willow, hence the title 'captain red unravelled'. its good to see a fragment of willow's past and that her parents were there for her and supported her.



who is that captain theodore thompson? by the way willow talked of him, she loved him. but what happened to him?



and the kiss was juss heart-wrenching. the emotional pain that led up to it was juss very emotional. hopefully, they'll help each other.

---

If someone like you/ Found somone like me/ Then suddenly/ Nothing would ever be the same/ My heart would take wing/ And I'd feel so alive/ If someone like you/ Found me...
"Someone Like You" from the musical Jekyll and Hyde

[Grimlock72]

I think Capt. 'teddy' Thompson had an accident of some sort, given how Buffy referred to him in the hangar to get Willow riled up. (speaking of which, that alone should have been enough to stop loving Buffy for Willow)



It's good that Willow has found at least one reason to remain with the living. Eventually she might find more reasons, but one will do for now. Tara's behaviour is rather confusing, maybe even most to Tara herself



I liked this image: "One of six year old Willow sitting in the cockpit of a plane that had seen service in World War One, a much too large leather helmet on her head and a huge grin on her face. Her first plane flight, sitting on the lap of the pilot…he had even let her hold the stick in her small hands.". Willow with loving parents, there's something you don't see everyday . London is a big town, unless those martians used a huge bomb or something it's unlikely that everybody there is dead.



To bad Willow slammed the drawer with pictures shut before Tara came in. I think Tara would have loved some of those pictures of young Willow



Grimmy

--
"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

[4WiccanLuv]

Alcy, this was a truly magnificent and bittersweet update. Bravo! It hurt to see Willow feeling so numb and kamakazi-ish. Not wise to engage the LGFs until they know more.



The snapshots of Willow's past were nice, much happier times. And oh boy…the kiss…wow…I'm melting here. Tara's behavior is rather confusing though. She knows she wants her, but always runs away…Grrr! Need to lock those two up with no escape route!



"I love Buffy, I always will god help me…" This line broke my heart. I suspect Buffy feels the same, although she may never admit it. I hope she does before it's too late.



Yup, also waiting for the scoopage on Teddy. Sounded like Willow was more than a little fond of him…almost enough to send her to boystown.



Thanks for ending this update on a high note. Willow felt the inklings of hope and the desire to live.

"Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others." - Groucho Marx