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						 Kittens,
  Hear ye! Hear ye!
  I am back and here's some updatey goodness.SOrry if it took me a while.Got a lot of things to deal with in real life.
  I just hope this is worth the wait.
  much appreciation,
 
 
  Sleek
 
  **** Mary
  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.   
  hee hee! Now that's an apt way of putting it.
  I'm glad that you found my Anya consistent in her character. Wasn't really sure about the "non-profitable apprehension" line (which really came out of nowhere) but it's good to know it wasn't lame. 
   
  Thanks for pointing out the whimsy.I like whimsy.Good job on your latest installment in On Second Thought by the way, it bowled me over so much so that I posted twice. 
   
  Glad your still here.
  Rose24 Sorry bout the cliffhanger.But it's all for the good. Promise. 
   
  Will Glad you saw your Anya in my Anya. (err did that sound right?)
  I won't make Dawn klepto in my fic, because that is just so lame.Dawn is bookish. I see her as a really smart kid who will surprise us with what she knows every now and then. 
   
  Stef Still polishing the meeting part. All for the good of WT lovin'.
   
  Jixer Cruel place to stop? 
  Like I said.All for the good.
  About Fate and Serendipity, don't worry they WILL still make an appearance but MUCH LATER. Right now the spot light is on W/T, which I'm sure you wouldn’t mind.
  Xita Gotta love clueless Buffy. Hee! 
  Yeah, Tara is really bent on protecting Willow. I can't wait for Willow's reaction myself.Good to know you're still keeping up with this crazy fic.
   
  Mollyig Hey 
  Now I got your name right.Sorry about misspelling your name in, what,ALL of my replies. (sheepish grin)
  Thank you for finding my Anya to be true to character.You made an excellent point there, how Tara must have felt when she met the Scoobies. 
  Poor girl can't even begin to understand what is a Scoobie--yet.Tara, having been intimate with Willow herself, would not want Willow do be abused in any way.Thus the protectiveness.
  Sonya "Heyelp! Heyelp!" 
   
  It's your entire fault.Now I can't get rid of the damsel in distress image myself.Glad you're enjoying this! 
   
  Ann-Marie Thanks. 
  Yes.Kickin Faith's skanky ass is on its way.Hang in there. 
  Cindipitude Whoop Ass Tara (now that's an image)….oops.Mind driftin somewhere else!Glad you liked the update! 
   
  Snuggle79 Yeah.It took them a while before they found out each other's names.I want it slow that way.All with the savoring and getting to know each other gradually. 
  Oh, thanks for liking the mind talking part.
  Ruth Thank you!I guess some people would throw me out here if I said I have a soft spot for Faith.There are just so many facets about her that are waiting to be explored.Great evil comes with some deep rooted emotions.Glad you are keeping up with this. 
   
  Lil c
 
  Hey thanks.Rescue part is on its way.
  BV Thanks! 
  It comforts me to know you're still keeping up with this twisty and loopy fic.Rescue operation will commence now.
  Ashley
 
  Did you say groping part? Oh.It's the mind thingie part that you liked. 
  Thanks and rescue mission is on its way!
  Holly Hey there. 
  Thanks for catching up with this.I'm also catching up with your lil Hadley in Never A Night Like This.
   
  Michelle Writing Tara's first encounter with the Scoobies was fun.Glad you liked it. 
   
  Tamara Thank you.Your words of encouragement always helps. 
   
  Rane
 
  you didn't know what tribadism was?! 
  Yeah.I prefer their first meeting actually.
  Grimaldi Thank you for reading this.I hope the update won't be a dissapointment since it took me awhile.
  Eccentrictulipp Just wanted you to know I appreciate your feedback. 
  It really helps in giving me ideas on the story's direction
 
 
  now on to the update!!! 
  : bounce  ***
 
 
 
 
  Part 15 
 
  Finding Willow (b) 
 
 
 
  "Can't we go any faster?"Tara's voice was almost calm.But her turbulent eyes betrayed her worry.  I can't let anything happen to her.Goddess what if Faith is already ravaging Willow?! No.I can't… I just…better be there sooner. 
 
  "Tara, I am driving at top speed.The xandermobile just gets a little bit cranky sometimes."Xander muttered.His knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel mercilessly and stomped on the accelerator.
  The Scoobies were thrown backward in their seats as the car lurched forward--only to stop after several miles.  Again. 
 
  "Just exactly how many  times  would  sometimes  be?I've lost count of the number of times the xandermobile gets cranky."Anya inquired.She was stuffed in the front passenger seat along with Dawn.Buffy, Giles, Tara and several hastily stashed weapons filled the backseat.
  "Ahn.Let's try being a little more helpful and a little less analytical?" said Xander.He sighed in resignation as the car sputtered and heaved its last breath. "Can you hand me over the tool box?"
  "I'm going ahead."Buffy declared, shoving the car door open."The school is just two more blocks away.I'll make a run for it."
  "I'll go with you." Said Tara and without waiting for anyone's response, took her glass box and got out.
  ***
  Willow was too weak to even think.And for a girl whose mind was as alive as a hundred toddlers put together, that was saying a lot.
  The redhead let her head hang as she surrendered to the lull of lethargy.Weak-kneed, her body started to crumple down the floor but her bound wrists kept her painfully upright.Willow sighed, shut her eyes and welcomed the blissful emptiness of unconsciousness. For a few moments, her fear, hunger and anxiety faded.All that was left was the hollow void of blankness. 
  "Aww.It's no fun if you're asleep."
  The searing coldness of ice water splashing her face jolted Willow awake.
  Willow pulled her eyes open and rued the moment she did so.The horrid image of Buffy's eyes gleaming with Faith's raw wickedness and Buffy's lips stretching into a full savage grin was just too much for her nutrient deprived brain to process.
  Faith roughly cupped Willow's chin upward.Sluggish green eyes met manic hazel.
  "Wassamater Red.Bored now?Here.Let's moisten you up a bit."Faith held a plastic bottled water and tipped its contents towards Willow's parched mouth.Willow gladly gulped in the water and let it course down her arid throat.
  Faith swallowed in the sight of Willow's pale throat.Her fingers that were cupping Willow's cheek swept downward to stroke her neck.Willow's eyes widened in surprise as Faith tilted the bottled water and let is contents liberally splash Willow's chin and chest. The gauzy material of Willow's top began to cling to her chest like second skin.Goosebumps sprung on Willow's flesh and she felt her nipples rise.
  "Well look at you. I haven't even touched you and you're already drenched."Throwing the bottle away, Faith breathed in Willow's fear and let it warm her blood.  This is going to be too easy.What a shame. Faith smiled wretchedly and gripped Willow's waist with both hands and yanked the redhead toward her.
  "Now.Let's have fun with this body."Faith purred and stretched Buffy's tongue out to lick Willow's neck.
  Willow tried to block the disgusting sensation and shut her eyes.She held her breath as she dreaded Faith's assault on her body.But it never came.
  "Hey! That's my body and buddy you're playing with you mook!"Buffy said indignantly as she violently grabbed Faith from behind and threw her away from Willow.
  Willow popped her eyes open and saw Faith's body do a classic Buffy stance. It was Faith's eyes she was seeing but it was Buffy's reassuring gaze that she felt rest on her face. 
  "So, finally decided to grace us with your snotty presence."Said Faith as she composed herself and turned to Buffy."Jealous B? If you'll be a good girl, I'll let you get a turn."
  "The only turn I'm going to get is with my fist knocking you unconscious."Huffed Buffy as she faced her opponent. 
  Faith gave a low hearty chuckle."Bring it on then.Though I must say, you never looked hotter.Must be the new face.It suits you."
 
  This is too surreal for words.  Willow thought as she watched the two Slayers take a menacing step towards each other.  Buffy's insides with Faith's outsides and Faith's insides with Buffy's outsides and now they're going beat each other inside out. 
 
  Faith belted a predatory growl and pounced on Buffy, tackling her down to the ground.Without pausing for breath Buffy jerked her knee up and hit Faith in the stomach.She shoved Faith away but Faith caught her upper arms and rolled with her on the ground.
  "You vile self-righteous bitch!You think I care about any of this?!"Faith yelled as she launched a volley of punches to Buffy's face and sides.
  Buffy deftly evaded each blow and grappled with Faith until she was on top.
  "I should've buried the knife in a little bit more.Then we can all have some peace."Buffy retorted and proceeded to execute a clean upper cut on Faith's jaw.
  "Willow."
  The voice was faint and soft, Willow thought she heard it in her head.She peeled her eyes away from the Buffy-Faith battle scene and found herself diving headfirst into pools of ethereal blue.The blonde gave her a tiny smile and rushed to her side.Tara's golden hair trailed behind her like a majestic cape.
  "You…" Willow started but the words evaporated on her tongue as the feeling of petal soft lips brushed against the sides of her face.
  "Thank god…you're…alright."The blonde whispered in between kisses and hugged Willow's frail body close. The sensation of the blonde's cheek stroking her own and her body being pressed into the blonde's warmth made Willow feel safe at last.Safer than when Buffy arrived in Faith's package.
 
  Omigod! Omigod! I'm not delirious am I? Coz if this is a dream and in a few moments I'm going to wake I am so going to kick some higher being's ass.Maybe the Lord of the Dreams.Or or the Goddess of Lesbian fantasies or…  
  "Willow I need you to s-stand still so I can…" Tara's cheeks were suddenly flushed as she shakily tried to untie Willow.
  Willow hadn't realized she was unconsciously rubbing her body against Tara's length and stopped her movements.  Great. Pervy doofus makes a rub for it and embarrasses her Cinderella--wait…I actually know her name. 
 
  Wrists finally freed, Willow tenderly placed her palms on the familiar contours of Tara's cheeks and delved into the depths of the blonde's eyes."Tara?"
  Tara nodded and smiled in recognition of her name on the redhead's lips.
  "Willow."Tara whispered and leaned towards Willow's damp chest.Her golden hair veiled her profile from Willow's view as she bent down to untie the redhead's ankles.
  Slender fingers stroked the sensitive instep of Willow's feet before trailing over the back of her ankles, legs and thighs.Willow gasped in surprise at the gentle friction on her skin and placed her hands on Tara's shoulders, grasping for balance since she suddenly found herself quite unsteady.
  After freeing Willow, Tara slowly got up and faced the redhead. She saw the green eyes turn smoky and heavy lidded.Images of bare, sweaty bodies writhing against each other inside a dark laundry room throbbed in their minds.The two women seemed to forget that there was still a battle at hand and welcomed the insistent tug of desire naked in their eyes. 
  Willow's tongue suddenly remembered the softness of Tara's mouth and hungered to slide inside."Kiss you?" 
  Willow didn't recognize her own voice as all of her vocabulary flew and blurred into an image of her mouth parting Tara's lips and seeking her deeply with her tongue. 
  "Yes."Tara found the word escaping her mouth without her knowledge.
  Willow snaked her hand securely inside Tara's hair and pulled the blonde slowly to her thirsty lips.Tara closed her eyes and felt the warm breath of Willow heat her mouth.
  "Taraa!!! Spell!"Buffy's cry rent the air and wrenched Willow and Tara apart.
  Quickly, Tara grabbed a glass box from the floor and ran towards Buffy's direction.Willow at her heels.
  Buffy, whose left cheek was now blossoming into an ugly bruise, was holding Faith's hands and had her pinned against the wall.Faith's lower lip was bleeding profusely and trickled down her chin.She was still bucking and trying to throw off Buffy like a raging bull.
 
  Willow at my signal, hold my hand and say Draconia Katra Reversa.  Tara's voice spoke urgently inside Willow's mind.
  Willow nodded her assent.
  Tara opened the glass box threw its contents towards Buffy and Faith. The two Slayers found themselves encased in a glowing sphere of green.
 
  Willow. Now. 
 
  The redhead grabbed Tara's hand, faced the Slayers and chanted as one.
  "Draconia.Katra.Reversa."
  Willow felt her skin jump as a current ignited from where her palm touched Tara's.It crawled swiftly towards her upper arm and prickled her scalp.She felt her jaw slack as she looked into Tara's eyes and saw the power mirrored there.
  For a moment, a blinding flash of green drowned everything else.It permeated inside Willow's lungs, heart, eyes and body.
  Two screams pierced the air and gradually the green light twirled into a strand of wispy white. 
  Then everything was clear.
  Buffy sprawled face down on the ground. Faith was nowhere to be seen.Tara and Willow were still standing.Hands clasped together.
  "Buffy?"Willow's voice shook as she rushed to Buffy's side and turned her over.
  "Buffy?Can you hear me?"Willow whispered to her best friend's unconscious face.The blood on her chin has dried.
  Slowly, Buffy's eyelids fluttered open.Bright hazel eyes looked up at Willow.
  "Hey Red."Buffy croaked.
  "That's  so  not funny!"Willow widened her eyes and scrutinized Buffy's face."You  are  Buffy aren't you?"
  "Five by five."Buffy smiled a Buffy smile as she poked Willow's shoulder with a finger."Honestly Willow, sometimes you're too easy."
  Willow grinned and squeezed her best friend's hand."Glad you're back.You can't imagine what it's like seeing your face with Faith underneath it."
  "I won't even ask."Buffy replied with a grimace. 
  "Guys.I-I think we should be looking for Faith."
  Tara's voice brought Willow and Buffy back on alert.To their horror they saw Faith.A sinister smile spread across face as she made a lunge for Tara from behind.
  "Tara! Behind you!!"Willow got up and ran towards Tara.
  Tara whirled and found herself trapped in Faith's vice grip.Tara's face twisted into a pained expression as she let out a silent scream.
  "So, B has a new witch bitch.Didn't take long to replace you Red."Faith looked even more psychotic now that she was wearing her own face.Her arms were dangerously squeezing Tara's body.
  "Let her go."Willow's voice was quiet and deadly.Her eyes narrowed into lethal slits.
  Buffy shakily got up and wobbled towards Faith."Faith.This is not the way.Let's just finish each other off and let Tara go."
  Faith looked at the two women before her and seemed to become increasingly more pleased.She was about to open her mouth to say something but a white light suddenly emanated from Tara's hands and scorched her skin.
  "Ow!"
  Violently, Faith threw Tara to the ground as the white light began to seep and glow under the flesh of Faith's arms.She cast a tearful glance towards Tara's reclined body.
  "What did you do to me?"Faith gasped before she fled out of sight.Buffy hesitated a moment and ran after her.
  Willow felt her heart plummet as she saw Tara lying on the ground, unmoving.She carefully cradled Tara's head and brushed the dirt from her Tara's face.Blue eyes watched her curiously.
  "Tara?"Willow said, tenderness lacing her shaky voice."You okay?"
  "Arm."Tara gasped.She breathed in deeply to calm the shots of pain stabbing her limb."Think it's broken."
  "I'll get you to a hospital."Willow answered softly as she placed a reassuring kiss on Tara's forehead."I'll keep you safe."
  *** 
					
  
						
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