Okay... so here's the deal
Puter is still out of it. I am at a friend's house writing this. She said I could have ten minutes to work on my fic... yeah... right.. like THAT is enough time to get anything done...
Anyway... What I am gonna do is go ahead and post the teeny tiny microscopic bit I was able to pull together and go over and etc, etc. As I finish the rest of this scene (as it has three parts) I will update to
THIS POST. So if you see an update notice in the update thread over the next couple of days, come back to this post.
I figure is a little bit of something is better than a whole lot of nothing.
Here it is... what there is of it....
___________________________________
Sensing in the tension in the air, the rest of the Scoobies had excused themselves for the evening, Xander and Anya collecting Joseph from Emily’s room, and left the small house.
In their bedroom, while they waited for Emily to finish getting ready for bed, Willow explained to Tara what Morrigan had said to her outside. The news had been more than a little confusing to the blonde, and Willow waited, chewing softly on the pad of her thumb as she leaned against the dresser, watching her wife who was seated on the edge of the bed.
Finally, Willow could wait no longer and she spoke again.
“So what do you think?”, she asked.
“I don't know.” Tara replied honestly. “It seems like Morrigan is just trying to start something. But why would she be motivated to do that?”
“I don't know.” Willow answered.
A momentary silence fell over the pair. It was Tara who next spoke again.
“I think I should take over Emily's lessons”, she said decisively.
“You mean get rid of Ghaena?” The redhead asked, a little caught off guard.
Tara looked sadly up into Willow’s eyes, “You saw how carelessly she used magick in front of her today.”
“I know.” Willow softly replied, bowing her head.
Silence filled the room like smoke making things thick and uncomfortable.
“I'll talk to her.” Willow stated.
“Emily?” Tara inquired.
“Ghaena.”
“Oh.” Tara spoke, “About stopping the lessons?”
“Yes.” The redhead agreed, then added, “And about my hair.”
“Your hair?” Tara was momentarily perplexed until she remembered, “Oh, right.”
Willow shifted a little on her feet, a sign of her unease. “Ghaena said it herself. It's because of her that my ancestors even got together. What if...” She drifted off.
“What if what?” The blonde gently coaxed.
Willow took in a deep shuddering breath before she continued. “What if they weren't supposed to get together in the first place?”
Tara let out a gasp of shock. “Don't say that.”
“But...”
“Don't.” Tara cut her off and rose to her feet, getting into Willow’s face. “If there has ever been one certainty in my life it was that from the moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew that we were meant to be together. That we were destined to share out this life, even if at first we were a little unsure. So Willow Rosenberg, don't you dare even suggest that all of this has been a lie.” Her tone was firm and clearly would not accept any form of argument or dispute.
Willow said the only thing that came to her mind, “Maclay.”
Tara blinked, “What?”
The hacker took her lover’s hands gently into her own as she spoke again. “Willow Rosenberg-Maclay.”
Tara smiled as tears formed in her eyes. She repeated, “Willow Rosenberg-Maclay.” She freed one hand from her wife’s grip and brought it to Willow’s cheek, stroking it softly before leaning in a placing a tender kiss on her lips. She pulled away and looked into loving green eyes. “No more lessons.”
“Ghaena will be upset.” Said Willow. It was a statement of fact and not a contest.
“Let her be.” Tara sighed, “If she can't be straightforward with us about...us...”
“Let me talk to her.” Offered Willow, “See if any of what Morrigan said was true.”
“ She didn't say much.”
“But what she did held alot of...”
“Nothing”, Tara interrupted her, “It held alot of nothing. I still think she she's just trying to pick a fight.”
“You're probably right.” The hacker agreed, “ I just wish I knew why.”
Tara shook her head. She was tired. “Let's not worry about it tonight.”
“Alright.” Willow resigned and kissed Tara once more.
The wiccan tasted her own lips as they parted, her brow furrowing a little. “Did you have a beer?” she asked.
“Huh?” said Willow, “Oh, yeah... Morrigan...”
“It's okay.” Tara assured her, “You just.. probably shouldn't breast feed is all.”
Willow chuckled and rolled her eyes humorously, imagining it wouldn’t look good to have a drunken infant. “Good point.” There was a brief pause as they gazed lovingly into each other’s eyes. “I'm going to go tuck Emily in.” Said Willow, “There should still be a couple containers of expressed milk in the fridge.”
“Alright...” said the blonde, “I love you.”
“I love you too, Baby”, Willow smiled, before disappearing down the hall to Emily’s room.
**
“Hey, baby-girl.” she said, poking her head into her daughter’s still lit room. Emily was snuggled into her bed, hugging her teddy bear Mr. Wigglesworth to her chest. She didn’t sleep with the plush toy often, but it had been a gift to her from Buffy a couple of years back and she occasionally cuddled with it when she needed a calming influence to help her sleep. It had been her birthday, after all, and the cake had left her a little hyper, and knowing that her bedtime was of one of the few things not up for negotiation with her parents, she had instinctively grabbed the tan bear from off her dresser before climbing into bed.
“Hey, Mama”, Emily replied cheerily.
Willow moved to sit on the edge of the bed by her daughter’s waist, “I'm sorry that your birthday wasn't the best.”
“Yes it was.” The little girl argued.
“It was?” Willow asked, a little surprised, “Even with everything that happened?”
“Yes.” Emily stated assuredly.
“Why?”
Emily thought about this for a moment and came up with the only answer she could, “I don't know. It just was.”
Willow laughed lightly, and decided not to press the matter further. Emily did seem to be thoroughly pleased with her day despite all of the uninvited negativity Scooby birthday parties tended to attract. She guessed that on a scale of one to ten, this party had ranked a low two for calamitous circumstances. “Okay.” she said finally, putting the issue, and her daughter, to bed. She pulled the star and moon print covers up to Emily’s chin and leaned down, kissing her tiny nose.
Emily let out an unexpectedly sleepy yawn as Willow pulled away. “Mama?”
“Yes, baby-girl?” she said, caressing her daughter’s soft cheek.
“Am I really going to get to go to Avalon someday?”
Willow felt her features darken, and with an effort she shifted them back to normal, while trying to steady her voice, “Maybe... someday...”
“Okay.” Emily stated, stifling another yawn. “Night, Mama.”
“Night, baby...” the older redhead spoke as she stood. Then bent down again and placed another kiss on Emily’s forehead before going to the door and shutting off the light. She hesitated a moment in the darkness, watching her little girl as she shifted deeper into her blankets. Willow smiled, almost sadly, and then stepped back into the hall, leaving the door open a crack so that the hallway nightlight filtered into the small room.
*****
Okay, this is different. Willow thought to herself as she examined her surroundings.
I’m outside… at night… alone. Why am I outside at night alone? She looked down at her body, examining it.
These aren’t my clothes…are they? I think they are. But old, really old. Like, late thirteenth century old. Rough wool and leather. Oh, a sword. I have a sword. This is my body… these are my hands. This is… apparently… my campfire. Where am I?Suddenly, she heard a twig snap behind her. She instinctively drew her sword and turned toward the sound.
“ Who goes there?” she asked bravely.
Did I say that? She thought at the sound of her voice,
I’m Scottish. Funny. I always thought I was Irish. She listened to the air again, but there was nothing. No sounds of any kind save for the whispering wind that brought the scent of sage and pine to her nose. “Quit your hiding. I can smell you.”
From out of the shadows behind her, a lone figure in long robes stepped out, sword drawn. Willow spun to face her, racing her weapon. They both stood stock still, each blade held to the other’s neck.
Woa! Thought Willow,
It’s Ghaena… sneaking up on me… with a sword. Um… well looks like I’m just along for the ride now. Go thirteenth century me! Kick some butt! This dream is probably important. I wonder if I should take notes…Ghaena held Willow’s gaze a moment before speaking. “Lower your weapon, young mercenary. I mean you know harm.”
“I will lower mine when you have lowered yours.” The redhead replied.
You tell her, me! I mean…“Let us both be satisfied. We shall sheath our naked blades in their skins at the same moment.” Offered Ghaena.
Eew, suggestive much?“Say at the count of three.” The priestess continued, “You can count?”
“Of course I can count!” the mercenary countered, “I am no fool.”
Not that any me ever would be.“Than you shall do the honors.” Ghaena smiled, her sword still trained on the young woman’s neck.
Um… this could be a trick… c’mon me, what are you thinking? You can do it! Whoever I am.“One...”
Their stared into each other's eyes, still very much en guarde.
“Two...”
The tip of the redhead's sword to faltered a little at the other woman’s neck. A betrayal of her nervousness. This did not go unnoticed to the brunette and the mercenary knew it.
“Three.”
They simultaneously dropped and sheathed their weapons. Ghaena gestured for the fighter to return to her seat.
“We shall sit and talk now, as though we were civilized folk.” Said the priestess as she took her seat opposite the redhead and across the campfire. They regarded each other cautiously through the campfire’s flames.
“Who are you and why have you been following me?” the mercenary began.
Yeah, no kidding! Wait, she’s been following me, er, you…us?“You do not know me?”
“Only that you have shadowed me these past three eves.” The petite warrior stated. “Yet, I must confess
your face is familiar to me.”
“I am a friend.”
“And yet you come upon me, weapon drawn.” The redhead countered.
That’s right! dream Willow agreed from her seat at the back of her past self’s sight.
“I saw you had drawn yours, I was only being cautious.” Ghaena offered in explanation.
“So you say.”
“Strange.” The priestess noted.
“What?”
What?“That you are born of Cymru, yet speak with a Scottish brogue.” The brunette explained.
“You mistake. I am not born of Cymru.”
Who would want to be born in a place that sounds so naughty, anyway?“Aye you are. I was there.”
Willow felt her past self’s gaze narrow in Ghaena’s direction. “Who are you?”
“I told you.”
“You said, ‘a friend’. Speak your name.”
It’s Ghaena! Willow called out with her thoughts.
The mercenary watched as Ghaena hesitated. Peering at her through the fire she watched as the priestesses features suddenly changed in the flickering flame, and then they were Ghanea again.
Did you see that? Willow gasped,
She’s someone else! I know that face! Where have I seen itThe mercenary stood and reached for her sword.
Good idea, agreed Willow.
“You are not what you seem.”
“Stay your hand.” The brunette pleaded, raising her own in protest.
The young woman let her hand stay trained on the hilt of her blade. “Speak your name.”
Ghaena looked down at her feet and chuckled.
She’s laughing? Why is she laughing? That can’t be good. “You are very clever, but for a mercenary, far too trusting.” The priestess stated, appearing to rub warmth into her boot-covered calves. “You should never have lowered your blade in the first.”
Okay, me. Probably a good time to demonstrate some kick-ass fighting skills! Willow thought nervously.
The mercenary swiftly moved to draw her weapon, but Ghaena was too fast, drawing a dagger from each boot, and throwing them at Willow.
NO!!They landed striking her square in the chest and the impact knocking her off her feet. As she fell back Willow cried out in pain and anguish.
“Tara!!”
*****
“Tara!!”
Tara jumped awake, roused suddenly by her lover’s anguished cry. She blonde quickly rolled to her side, trying to see Willow’s face in the darkness, lying beside her.
“Will?”
“Tara!”, the redhead cried out in pain, ”My chest! My chest... knives! Ghaena...
Tara tried to clear her fog-filled brain, “Willow? What's wrong?”
“My chest! There are knives in my chest!”
Tara rolled to her side and turned on the side lamp, returing her gaze to Willow, who lay panick-stricken on her back. Her hands were hovering near, though not touching her chest. There were of course no knives.
“No knives, Willow.” Tara soothed, “There are no knives. It was a nightmare.”
“My chest...hurts... I can't breath!” The hacker was now starting to hyperventilate.
“Sh. Sh, baby.” Said Tara, trying to stop her lover from giving herself an embolism. “Calm down. Let me see.” She started to reach to undo the buttons to Willow’s pajama top.
“Don't touch! Don't Touch!” Willow stopped her, “It hurts when you touch.”
“Sweetie, I'm just going to unbutton your top. I need to see if you're hurt.” Tara rationalized.
Willow swallowed and cautiously nodded her head in assent. Tara gingerly undid
the plastic buttons and opened the sleeping shirt.
Tara’s breath caught in her throat at the sight before her. “Oh my god. Willow”, she said, “when was the last time you breastfed Michelle?”
Willow hesitated, unsure what that had to do with knives being in her chest, “What?”
“When was the last time you expressed any milk?” Tara clarified.
Willow tried to clear her memory, trying to think through the incredible tightening pain of her chest, “Um... um... this morning... Things got so busy...with the party...”
“Sh. Try and stay calm.” Tara soothed again, “Honey, your breasts are engorged. That's why you're in so much pain. “
“They're what?” Willow’s eyes shot even wider as she looked down her nose to see her chest. What she saw startled her so that she had to shut her eyes in response. Her breasts were three times their normal size, the skin completely stretched taut to the point where it appeared to be almost plastic.
“Engorged”, the blonde continued to explain. “They are completely filled with milk. Willow, we have to express this milk. Now.”
“Please!” Willow begged her. “It hurts so bad.”
“I know”, Tara nodded in understanding, “It happened to me once with Emily, remember? We have to get you to relax so that the breast pump can work. Can you sit up?”
Willow lifted her head a little, then collapsed back into the pillow. “No, I…I don’t think I can move….” She was beginning to panic again.
“Okay”, said Tara, “Alright, just stay there. I’ll get the heating pad. That should soothe some of the pain and help you to relax a little.” She started to rise from the bed.
“Don’t leave me!” Willow pleaded, grasping at Tara’s arm.
“It’s only for a moment”, Tara promised, “I’ll be right back.”
Willow relented and let her wife go, her mind still racing with pain and the memory of her dream.
******
TBC....
Okay, that's it for the updates to this post. Next update will appear in a new post in later in the thread.
Edited by: DarkWiccan at: 8/11/02 2:58:24 pm
by Thanatopsis » Wed Jul 31, 2002 1:23 am 
with a pasion. she made tara think she wasn't a good mother! i can't stand ppl like that. and what's with morrigan? she's just a lil to glup worthy for me. can't wait for the next update!
In any case, I am finally caught up, and am loving this fic. I too have many questions about Morrigan, and now Ghaena's comment about Willow's red hair! (Should I be worried?) I love seeing the adult interactions between all the Scoobies and how wonderful they are with the kids. And yeah - Pat 
... I'm glad to see Dawn reassuring her as a great parent. 
. 
) and i can't think right.
But, I would love to read it.