Took Willow a bit to figure that out, would have thought it was "wicked" obvious!

Quote:

---

Buffy? Leather Dyke? What about Angel-Scott-Parker-Riley? Maybe she is changing like me. But, but she's just no dyke. I mean she's Big Leather Dyke. It takes time to accumulate into bigness of dykeness proportions, right? I mean Buffy being gay is like discovering the sun shines at night, which is a useless analogy, and I should--

---

Always love the Willow babble, but this had me lol

BV

"In front of total strangers won't you kiss me, Flowers for no reason but you miss me - OOH, I wanna be in love"

Melissa Etheridge-Skin

So Faith is back? I don´t like it.

Btw where is Tara?



*lil´c*



Unter den Blinden ist der Einäugige König.

Damn Faith! Hope there's more soon, coz i wanna c what happens next!



~Ashley~

Willow: We can come by between classes. Usually I use that time to copy over my class notes with a system of different colored pens. But it's been pointed out to me that that's, you know... insane.

Tara: I said quirky.

I have never been a big fan of Faith. She was okay until she had that one night stand with Xander and then betrayed Buffy.



I hope Willow gets rid of Faith soon.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

snuggle, BV, lil c, Stef, Ashley and Rose24.Thanks for taking time to post here.

Your interaction really gets me going.Faith is up to major badness. Don't worry Rose, Faith will get what she deserves.

***



Part 14


Katra (b)



"Giles.It's me.Why can't you be all intuitive and know it's me."A woman with ebony hair clad in a black leather jacket with matching skin tight leather pants took a step closer to the Watcher who reflexively took a step back.

Rupert Giles' graying temples shone with a film of sweat.His glasses slid down a notch on his nose bridge as he tried to think calmly and logically on how to deal with the rogue slayer before him.

"Yes, of course. While I summon my intuition, you being Buffy would not mind if I tie you to this chair then."Giles indicated a wooden chair propped against the counter of the Magic Box.

Buffy gave an exasperated sigh and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Giles.As much as I appreciate your willingness to play bondage with Faith's body, we don't have much time.Faith
did
something.I don't know how but she swapped our bodies while we were fighting.She could be shipping my body all the way to Mexico by now.
Giles
…"Buffy pleaded with Faith's dark eyes, imploring her Watcher to believe her."It's me.I can prove it.Ask me anything."

"Alright."Said Giles, relenting slightly."What is the name of the sphere you discovered when you met Glory?"

"The Dagon thingie."Buffy replied quickly."But that's easy.Giles, ask me about personal Buffy memories.Like, I know you became a demon because Ethan made you drink something.But I knew it was you right away didn't I?Your girlfriend's name is Olivia…and oh!You want me to tell you about you, mom and band candy?"

Giles' eyebrows shot upwards.

"Oh!Oh!While I was psychic, I heard you fantasizing about Pierce Brosnan and Mom thought you were like a stevedore during sex."

The Watcher's face turned pallid.

"I'm kidding!"Buffy grinned widely."About the Pierce Brosnan part anyway.So shall I continue?"

The telephone rang, and without taking his eyes off Buffy, Giles moved behind the counter and picked the phone up.

"Hello.Yes…Buffy apparently is here…what?Dear lord!"Giles continued to talk on the phone while Buffy grew increasingly alarmed at Giles' utterance of several more 'dear lords'.

Giles grimly set the phone down.

"It's Xander." Said Giles as he turned to Buffy.The Watcher finally looked convinced that the woman in front of him was indeed Buffy."There was a report from the UCS campus.Last night, a woman whose physical description matches you, uh Buffy--who is actually Faith, abducted a student from Stevenson Hall."

"Willow."Buffy whispered in realization.


***


Once again Dawn Summers was asked to take a backseat during any Scooby action.

The teenager sat pensively in the Summers' living room and stared at the telephone, willing it to ring.Since Giles called, Dawn decided to stay home and told her mom she's not feeling well to go to school.What she failed to tell Joyce Summers was that her sister switched bodies with a psychotic Slayer and that Willow is kidnapped from her dorm.

Just your average variety of typical Sunnydale badness.

Dawn wondered what it would feel like to wake up one day and discover she was occupying her most loathed enemy's body.A picture of a snotty girl at school filtered her mind.A girl with a phony smile and elastic face.Supremo Bitch Krystal.The teenager wrinkled her nose in disgust.
It's like Kafka's metamorphosis. Waking up in a cockroach's body.Only worse.


Glancing at her watch, Dawn peered outside the window.The friendly morning light is slowly shifting into the glare of noon.For the hundredth time, Dawn wished she could help in some way.No siree, she didn't want her sister to be trapped inside a skanky slutty brunette forever.


But if Faith's got Willow, who else can conjure a spell to reverse the body switching?
The teenager's face stilled in concentration.Slowly she lifted a brow as a new idea seeped into her head.


She does seem like someone I can trust.
Dawn contemplated carefully as she fished for a piece of paper in her jeans' pocket.
She's nice to talk to and she didn't brush me off when I needed a friend.Maybe she can help.


Quickly, Dawn sat in the living room couch and punched some numbers on the telephone.

"Hello?Is this Tara?"

***
TBC

Glad Buffy clued in to the fact that Faith would target Willow. Dawn's decision to help is an interesting way of getting Tara involved in the situation.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

Sleek, my friend... This is good stuff.

I love the way you mix canon with your own twist... But Faith better get an ass-whooping and soon! Grrr...

At least, I hope she doesn't have that scary knife she had in S3. Cause that was all of the bad...



Tara to the rescue!!!

"You are Willow Rosenberg, vixen-y lighter of the flame and keeper of my heart."

(Camp Flutie by Rane)

This is great! I love the new twists....the Buffy/Faith switch works well, and Dawn going for Tara is a great way to get her in on the action. Tara will have a purpose! She will save the day! Thanks, Sleek!

"And I'm eating this banana. Lunchtime be damned!" -- Willow in "Doppelgangland

Our favorite hero Tara comes to save the day!

I'm curious!

great update!

snuggle79

__________________

"I got so lost"

"I found you, i will always find you"

Hmm... Buffy already knows about Glory and the Dragon Sphere in season4 ?? How interesting



Sorry, that kinda demanded my attention



Anyway, just how does Fuffy expect Willow to raise the mayor ? She first has to find all his parts, heh. The good thing is that Fuffy will want Willow to do a spell, I can think of several I want Willow to use on Fuffy... heh.



Except that Baith probably wants her body back in one piece.... damn. A sleep spell will have to do then.



Tara rescuing Willow, how nice...bit of role-reversal there



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

Hey woman~~So here's one of my all-time favorite phrases from this board: "bigness of dykeness proportions." This woman of dykeness just rocked forward in her chair with bigness proportions of laughter when she read that!



In addition to the excellent characters you're developing here (esp. Willow, and her internal dialogue), you're spinning a very intriguing story that weaves together a lot of diverse moments and images.I'm glad you had Will pick up on Faith's treachery quickly...I've always been a little disappointed with the implied "duh-ness" of the various characters when identity switches have been perpetrated. So your Willow, and her perceptivity in this moment, seems far more realistic to who she typically is.



And let's hear it for proactive Dawn...no whining, just gettin' her rear in gear and seeing what can be done. And who should she call...Hmm...Oh, yeah!



It was a great tease to have Giles fantasizing about Pierce Brosnan and then have Buffy say, "Psych!" Again, your characters feel real and appreciable in this fic...a pleasant departure from the caricatures I witnessed last year.



And oh, the cliffhanger...I wonder exactly what Faith means when she says she's hungry...especially since we know she's a big dyke w/ bigness of proportions to her dykeness!



Have a great weekend, and whenever the next installment is up, I'll be there!

Mary

OK Tara will rescue Willow!!!





*lil´c*



Unter den Blinden ist der Einäugige König.[

sleek;

Excellent, with a nice twist....Willow taken by Faith, so Tara to the rescue .

It's getting better!!

BV

"In front of total strangers won't you kiss me, Flowers for no reason but you miss me - OOH, I wanna be in love"

Melissa Etheridge-Skin

Glad they got Tara on the case, i'm sure she'll find Willow! Can't wait 4 more!



~Ashley~

Willow: We can come by between classes. Usually I use that time to copy over my class notes with a system of different colored pens. But it's been pointed out to me that that's, you know... insane.

Tara: I said quirky.

This will be a brilliant way for W/T to find each other again!!!!

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Mollygig
I wanted my characters to be a bit faster on the uptake.



Saule77
One Faith Ass Whooping Scene coming up!

Glad you liked my twist.My Faith is a bit different though.Don't worry, knives aren't involved.

Tulipp
Thank you.

Tara in the show was treated like a peripheral understated character especially in the early Seasons.Like she was just an appendage of Willow or something.She has so much strength that we glimpsed in S6, sadly, only for a short while.

Stef


Tara as knight in shining armor?Or as witch on a broomstick?



Snuggle79
Uhh..this isn't exactly ass kicking Tara.But I guarantee Tara Action.



Grimmy
I needed Dawn in my story.And if Dawn is there, Glory is there.I'm skipping the Adam part.I'm not much for demonoids anyway.



You made several interesting suggestions about what may happen with Fuffy, Baith and Willow.And about Tara rescuing Willow… well we'll see who really rescues who.

Mary
I know what you mean about the duh-ness.Like I told Mollygig, I wanted my characters to be a bit faster on the uptake.I'm glad someone found it more realistic.

A proactive Dawn is what I needed in my story.Having someone whines too much all the time is simply two-dimensional.I think Michelle Trachtenberg is a good actress, it's just too bad her character hasn't evolved much especially in S5 and early to late S6.

You were right when you said that the show recently presented us with a lot of caricatures, not characters.This is the reason why we love fic so much because we can redeem what was so carelessly treated.Thank you for your insights.It helps me a lot.



Lil c
Like I said, let's see who exactly rescues who.



BV
Hey, I might just throw in another twist.But I'm glad you're still hanging on there.I appreciate it!



Ashley
Tara is on the case alright.

She can help a lot it's sad the show didn't involve Tara in the Scooby action that much.Glad you're still reading.

Rose24
Oh W/T are meeting soon.We just have to get rid of Faith badness shall we?



On to the update


***


Rating R for language.There's some angst splattered here and there.



Part 14


Katra (c)




Tara felt like she was sucked into a surreal television show.

One moment, she was obliviously gliding along the halls of the UCS campus, living mostly inside her mind as the world sauntered by, the next she is part of a world where vampires, demons, slayers and bad slayers exist.

All it took was one phone call.

Sighing distractedly, she wove her way outside the campus. Her hands were carrying a small glass box containing something shimmering and greenish in color.

Tara was actually surprised when she received a call from Dawn so soon.Ever since their encounter at the Magic Box, the blonde felt compelled to give her phone number and stay in touch.
Weird,
Tara thought.
Even if Dawn had a very protective sister and the Magic shop owner seemed genuinely concerned about her, she still seems so alone in this world.Like she didn't really belong in this realm and she's trying so hard to strengthen her ties here to validate her existence.
And Tara had much empathy for people who do not seem to fit in.Several times she felt that way herself.

When she heard deep worry in the teenager's voice, Tara prepared herself to listen to typical adolescent angst.She squared her shoulders in anticipation of embarrassing questions about boys or the mysteries of parental behavior.But Dawn had a quite unusual dilemma.And she needed Tara more than just to listen.

The cold surface of the glass box reminded Tara that she should be hurrying.She glanced at the shimmering substance and felt her heart race.

Having someone have faith in her magical abilities like Dawn did was both scary and thrilling.


I just wish I'd know for sure that nothing will go wrong.Lives are at stake here.Buffy, Faith and another woman Dawn called Willow.They'd be in danger if my spell fails.
Worry creased the blonde's face.

If there was one essential thing her Mama taught her, it was that magic is a double-edged sword.
Use magic responsibly sweetie.Use it well and it will nurture you.Use it carelessly and it will consume you.
Tara could almost hear the pleasant lilting voice of her Mama, tutoring her about magic with gentle eyes and quiet affection. A fond smile tugged at Tara's lips at the memory of those humid summer afternoons in the attic with the scent of burning candles, dusty spell books and Mama's lilacs filling the air.She never felt spiritually bonded to anyone as she did with her mother.

Tara lifted her eyes and searched the heavens for a familiar face.


I hope you're still proud of me Mama.
Tara thought as she arrived at the place to meet Buffy.


***



Cold.Everything is so damn f--cking cold!

Cold outside.Winter wind burnin' my naked skin.

Cold inside. My veins swallowing ice water.Numbing, coursing, dying.

Didn't know comas can make you damn poetic.And dead.

I was alive once.Someone loved me.Somehow, in his own twisted way, I know he did.But his Ascension never came.And she killed him like she killed me.All for a godforsaken creature who goes by the name of a celestial a--hole.Never knew what she saw in that cold vampire body.I've tasted it myself.I had more fun looting a store than seducing Mr. Tormented.

Was a grave mistake to believe she cared for me.We could've made a great team.But she was over me a long time ago.

Now, I am inside her skin.And her skin is as indifferent to me as they were when she was inside of them.

She never loved me. Nobody really did anyway.


Faith eyed the prone body of a slender redhead whom she shackled in her makeshift dungeon.The emerald eyes that flashed at her were unyielding.

Bound and gagged against the wall, Faith thought Willow looked like a frail little pixie.

Faith's lips flickered into a devious grin.


I was never really loved.But I can always get a good fuck.



***

TBC

ack! you better not have faith have her way with willow! lol. i trust you will have tara rescuing her love soon enough.



1) too short!!!!!

2) post in the update thread, darling!

3) post update soon, please!

Don´t let Faith have her way with Willow!!!



*lil´c*



Unter den Blinden ist der Einäugige König.

OMG if you wanted to shock me..congrats...you did it..very well..

Tara...hurry!!

great update!

snuggle79

__________________

"I got so lost"

"I found you, i will always find you"

Having someone have faith in her magical abilities like Dawn did was both scary and thrilling. This is so telling of Tara's low self confidence. Really interested in what her reaction will be when she finds out who she is helping.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

Boy, you weren't kidding when you said another twist!!

Faith ain't gonna get any of that!! Is she??

BV

"In front of total strangers won't you kiss me, Flowers for no reason but you miss me - OOH, I wanna be in love"

Melissa Etheridge-Skin

Ugh!!!!! Please. Get. Rid. Of. Faith!!!!

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

All with the agreeing here...Get rid of Faith !

It's fine. I don't need to be snuggled...

Sleek!!!!!!!!!



For the love of God, the Goddess, Allah, Buddha, Jim Morrisson and everything Holy in any religion on this planet... You CANNOT reassure me with stuff like THAT

Quote:

---

One Faith Ass Whooping Scene coming up! (...) My Faith is a bit different though. Don't worry, knives aren't involved

---

and deliver an update like that!



No knife, maybe... but F having her way with Willow is even worse!!! She's different, yeah!!!! As in she's even more psycho! You've accomplished the impossible! Faith is more psycho than in canon!!



And there's no sign of any Faith Ass Whooping Scene...



Good job I trust you. But I want my FAW Scene soon. Very soon.





Can't wait to see Tara's reaction when she saves "another woman Dawn called Willow"



Snuggles!!

"You are Willow Rosenberg, vixen-y lighter of the flame and keeper of my heart."

(Camp Flutie by Rane)

OK, I was planning to get some work done today but I've just cleared my schedule so I can track down Faith and KICK HER ASS!! Nobody messes w/ Tara's girl!



You've boldly gone into scary territory, a different kind of scary than what ME typically gives us. In so doing, you're showing the depths of Faith's hatred and her very twisted definition of "love." Faith is one of those amazingly malleable characters who can be viewed as having the potential for amazing good AND amazing bad. Let's face it--you're setting up a rape scene in which Faith intends to take everything Buffy had, including her friends. It's frightening stuff, and I think it takes courage to write it honestly. I tip my hat to you for doing so.



As ever, your plotting re: the timing and circumstance of W&T's reunion has me giddily expectant and expectantly giddy!



Great work, Sleek--can't wait to see what happens w/ that little box Tara's carring around (uh, no pun intended...I think).



Mary

AArrgghhh! I missed updates. Please post in the update thread so I know when there is more story



this is a good read



Thanks

LostSoul

---

Thinking of giving Amber a birthday preasent this year? Check out www.geocities.com/ambers_bday_charity/index.html

Somebody needs to instigate a serious kick Faith's ass ceremony. Am I allowed to say there will be no 'getting a good fuck' from Willow? When you say 'angst splattered here and there' I think you mean 'dripping with angst as puddles form all over the floor.' I need resolution (not to sound pushy). Ack... update... soon... please. Now I just sound all desperate, huh?



Sarah

You can stomp my ass into obvlivion, but that doesn't mean I'll put up with your shit. ~Kris Roe (The Ataris - You Need A Hug)

There are a million fine looking women in the world, but not all of them bring you lasagna to work. Most of them just cheat on you.

i've been very bad with the feedback posting, but oh my goodness what a story!!! tara to the rescue!! i love it. i had tears when she was thinking of her mom....and i must say, i love poetic faith....can't wait for more.....

*please use both hands....*

dear Kittens,

Goodness!Don't hit the panic button yet.i WILL take care of Faith.



Since I'm in kind of a hurry, I'll post the update know.I would like to thank the Kittens who took time to contribute their thoughts on my story.I WILL give you my personal replies later.

gotta rush.but i wanted to post this before going out.

much much much appreciation
Sleek




****



Part 15


Finding Willow (a)



The Scoobies were still as statues when Tara walked in the Magic Shop.

Everybody was so absorbed with what they're doing that they didn't look up to acknowledge her presence.They all looked pale and they seemed to have stopped breathing.
Frayed nerves,
Tara noted silently.

The magic shop owner was standing in a far corner.His intelligent eyes were sharply processing the contents of an open black book.A guy with loopy dark hair sat, gazing intently at a woman who was staring at the money inside the cashier with equal ardor.Dawn was absently chewing an end of a pencil, a half-drawn sketch lay beside her left hand on the table.

Tara cleared her throat."Hey Dawn."

The teenager looked up and a huge grin lit her face.

"Tara!"

The blonde witch found herself tangled in Dawn's slim arms."I'm
so
glad you came here to help."Dawn whispered to Tara's shoulder as she gave the older girl a brief squeeze. Tara gave a small, embarrassed grin at Dawn's sudden burst of affection.

"Guys, this is Tara.Tara this is Xander, Anya and you already met Giles," said Dawn as she gave Tara a gentle push towards the group.

Xander lumbered forward and offered Tara a faint smile and a swift handshake. "Hey, good to finally meet the infamous Tara."Tara raised an eyebrow and looked at him quizzically."The Dawnster has been talking about you non-stop," Xander explained.

Tara was still absorbing this information when she felt a light punch graze her left arm.

"Go you! Super witch to the rescue.Harness your powers quick and save Willow so I can count my money and have sex with Xander.Xander's my boyfriend by the way.You can't have him."

If Anya didn't state everything so matter-of-factly Tara would've thought she was deliberately trying to scare her away.Right now she was just plain shocked.

"Anya!"Xander admonished and was worried at Tara's stricken look.

"Yes.That was probably the most appropriate way to appall Dawn's new friend."Giles said walking forward and extended Tara a consoling gaze.

"What?!I was just trying to establish the urgency of saving Willow and having my orgasms.What's appalling about that?Besides, we have been poring over Giles' list of unnecessary books and have come up with nothing but non-profitable apprehension," said Anya as if stating the obvious.

"Ahn, honey.That's not the point--"

"So.When can I kick Faith's ass?"A sweaty raven-haired woman in a red tank top and shiny work-out black pants emerged from the training room.

Tara was immediately unsettled by the disruption of the flow of energy around the brunette.Her aura was splotched and fragmented.
Her soul is trying so hard to adapt in a new vessel.She doesn't belong in that body,
Tara thought.

"You're Buffy."

Faith's lips smiled a Buffy smile."See Giles?Intuition.She knew right away."Buffy turned and approached Tara."When Dawn told me you could help, I wasn't so sure.I mean, she said you were a good witch and I told her I didn't want to involve a non-Scoobie with our mess.But now I'm really glad you came."


Did she say Scoobie?
Tara asked herself, confused.What does she mean by that? Her being a non-Scoobie? Nervously, she looked around and found everyone was looking at her warmly. Dawn especially.
They're looking at me as if I'm the answer to all their prayers.
Tara thought and gulped visibly.

"Ummm…. Don’t thank me yet.I-I'm not exactly almighty p-powerful. We have to, uh, l-locate Faith and Willow first."

"Right.Tell us whatever you need," said Buffy. "Newt's eyes. Hag's hair.An annoying mummy hand that likes to attack your face…whatever you need, it's on us."

"She doesn't really mean everything is for
free
.What Buffy is trying to say is that the
selected
surplus items can be dispensed-"

"Anya!"Everybody seemed to say in unison.

Tara bit back a smile.After getting acquainted to Anya's blunt manner, Tara decided she seemed genuinely well meaning and her unabashed concern for money and sex was actually amusing.

"Um. First I need to be familiar w-with uh, Willow's energy pattern. Everyone has a unique energy pattern.And um, it's a good way of locating and detecting someone's presence."Tara tucked a loose golden lock behind her ear and ducked her head to gaze at the table laden with open books, away from the Scoobies' stares. She hoped she didn't sound like a complete dork."Do…do you have a quartz crystal, and um, anything that is of Willow's.Preferably something she often touches?"

"That would be her laptop," Xander answered brightly."Or maybe one of the spell books back at her dorm, or hey! The Powerpuff Stuffed toy--Bubbles--would come in a close second after the spell books."

"Well," said Buffy thoughtfully."She has been reading a lot of books about Tribadism lately.But all of the things we mentioned are in her dorm."

Both Giles and Tara gave an uncomfortable cough.Tara gaped at Buffy.Giles proceeded to take off his glasses and appeared to be engrossed in cleaning its surface.

"Y-you mean W-Willow is a… a witch too.And gay?"Tara almost added the word
too
after the word gay but she caught herself in time.

"You forgot computer nerd."Anya offered helpfully.

"Wait! Willow's
not
gay."Xander eyes popped at Tara. "She had a boyfriend named Oz.Who was a werewolf, very much a
guy
wolf, mind you.They broke up, but not because she suddenly pulled an Ellen on him.Just because a girl reads about Tribadism doesn't mean she's um…y'know."Xander gestured helplessly.

"A girl reading about Tirbadism doesn't automatically dismiss the
possibility
that she is," said Tara pointedly.If there's anything else she was knowledgeable about besides magic, it would be the symptoms of lesbianism.Tara went through several symptoms herself.

Buffy curiously watched the exchange between Xander and Tara.Anya was disturbingly unperturbed about the discussion, Giles was obviously trying not to get involved and Dawn watched them all with naked interest.

"Huh?"Said Buffy, throwing an inquiring gaze at Tara."Where did this gay talk come from? What's the hubub about the word
Tribadism
anyway?"

"It's what lesbians
do
Buffy.Geez.Crack a book will you?"

Buffy felt her jaw fall to the floor.

For a moment she wasn't sure if it was actually Dawn who spoke or if Anya's brain used Dawn's vocal chords to talk.The teenager was deadpan about it and she flipped her hair nonchalantly to one side, staring evenly at Buffy.

"Is this what they've been teaching you in junior high lately?'Coz in my day Playboy wasn't in the curriculum."Buffy said, aghast.She was about to add a retort when Giles glanced at her.

"We don't have much time.Dear lord knows what Faith wants from Willow.I think it would be best if we cooperate with Tara without entering into a discourse on Willow's sexual preference."The Watcher's grave voice silenced any more talk of Tribadism with finality."Tara, will a photograph of Willow help?I believe Buffy or Xander would have one in their wallets."

"W-well, if that's all we have.I-I might manage."Tara said, a bit disturbed about the way Buffy was dealing with Dawn's apparent knowledge about lesbianism.

Silently, Xander reached inside his jeans' pocket and flipped open his wallet.He carefully pulled a photo of Buffy, Willow and him during high school graduation and handed it to Tara.

"She's the one with the red hair."Xander elaborated unnecessarily.

Tara's face turned ashen.Her mouth slacked open as she stared, wordlessly, for a full minute at the familiar dancing emerald eyes and candy-pink lips that curled into an easy grin.



****


Parched with thirst and limp with hunger, Willow tried to summon her brave-face if only to ward off the leers Faith was throwing her way.


How did things get so out of hand?
Willow thought miserably as her stomach did another flip and rumble.The flip was due to revulsion at Faith's unfaltering gaze on her body and the rumble was from lack of food.

Initially, Willow actually believed she had a chance of escaping when Faith brought her last night at Sunnydale High.All Faith asked from her was to point out where the Mayor's body was last seen.

Willow led Faith to tricky nooks and crannies inside the rubble of what was once Sunnydale High, hoping Faith would get stuck, or fall into one of the holes she knew was there somewhere.Faith got impatient and proceeded to shove Willow inside the cage near the library.She tied her up with wires that scratched Willow's wrists and ankles and tied a rough, dirty cloth around her mouth and jaw.


I don't think she wants to do the spell anymore.
Willow thought sullenly.Her hope of escaping evaporated along with her longing for food as she saw Buffy's lips turn up into Faith's bitter, evil smirk.

"So Red."Faith was suddenly in her face.With Buffy's hands, she briefly brushed Willow's wrists."How do you want me?"Faith asked in Buffy's husky voice.


Shit.She's not implying what I think she's implying, right?Coz hello--Willow here--with a straight girl record in Faith's twisted brain, which, in my brain, is pretty much unpredictable and unfathomable by human logic alone, because hey Faith would be better understood by animal logic, or…or beast logic.Beast Slut Logic.All with the--oooh! Check me out! Check me out! I am wicked hot!
Willow tried everything so as not to think what Faith wants her to think about.

"Come on Red.Tell me."Faith swayed Buffy's body and crushed it against Willow's slender length."What naughty fantasy have you been dying to try out with B?"

"You're crazy!"Willow lashed out with words but ended up saying "Mmrm! Mffff!" against the gag.

"Ooops. My bad."Faith giggled hideously and removed the gag from Willow's mouth."You can divulge your fantasy now."

Willow took her first gulp of unobstructed air.She took labored breaths and made an effort to calm her rage that she felt swelling inside her chest at Faith's sick suggestion about her and Buffy.

"Need food."Willow managed to say quietly though anger burst from her emerald depths.

Faith paused and felt a resounding rumble in her stomach.She chuckled.

"Forgot to feed myself some meat."Faith said as she raked her tongue across Buffy's lips and traced her fingers briefly at Buffy's right breast.

Willow cringed at the horrible effigy Faith is making of her best friend's body.

"Okay Red.You win this round, but I'll be back for some fun.And don't hope I'll get something for you."

Willow held her breath until Faith slithered out of sight.


Buffy?What did she do to you?Where are you?
Willow willed her mind to reach her best friend.


Willow.


A voice in her mind spoke.But it wasn't Buffy.


Willow.Can you hear me?
The voice spoke again.Definitely not Buffy but Willow could've sworn she heard that voice before.It was pleasant, smooth and it soothed Willow's agitated nerves.


Who are you?



A friend.Dawn asked me to help.Please.Tell me where you are and if you are alright.Buffy, Giles, Xander, Dawn and even Anya are deeply worried about you.


An image of her friends' worried faces flashed in Willow's mind.She was surprised when she felt a grin form on her lips.Buffy is alright?But her body is with Faith, how--


Willow?Tell me where we can find you.
She had a beautiful voice.Willow was sure she had heard her before, maybe in her dreams.


I'm at Sunnydale High.Inside the cage.Giles and Buffy would know where.



Okay.Just hang in there.



Please hurry.Faith is in a bad shape.I think she plans to…to take advantage of me.



Did she touch you?!
The woman's voice sounded alarmed and clearly upset.


No.But she will get a 100% groping access when she gets back, me all bound and gagged and everything.



She will NOT touch you.I will not let that happen.That b-bitch is gonna get it from me.


Wow. She's mad.Mad at Faith.
For me.
Willow felt her heart do a little twirl without her permission.


I believe you.Uhh...what’s your name?


Silence answered Willow.


Where did you go?Whoever you are. I think I know you and I want thank you.I'll wait for you here.



Willow?


She's still there! Willow's heart did another illogical spin.


Yes?



When we meet.Just…just tell me you're okay.And call me Tara.We'll be there soon.


"Tara."Willow tried the woman's name and felt it roll delightedly around her tongue.A smile appeared and never left Willow's face.


***
TBC

Hey Sleek~~



Yay! Tara to the rescue. I *love* how you're bringing their circles together in this slow, deliberate, and extremely enjoyable fashion. It has such a great combination of randomness and perfect logic.



My favorite part involved the mental dialogue b/w our girls. And Tara, going postal on Faith? Oh, yeah...Hell hath no fury, eh? I am so eagerly awaiting the moment when they come face to face...er, again, seeing as how they've already come. Face to face. And in a few other positions, it seemed.



Well...Be that as it may...I'm just psyched to keep reading!



And a couple of choice phrases, by the way...

1) the image of Anya looking at the cash w/ "equal ardor" to Xander's gazing upon her;

2) "non-profitable apprehension" and "selected surplus items." You nail Anya just right!



This is such a great fic, Sleek. It has wit and romance and tension and whimsy...A great combination.



Take care,

Mary