Fic: The Artifact (AU) (Updated July 7 2009)

[Artemis]

Hi, just dropping in to say how much I'm adoring this story. Willow and Tara are so sweet... it's almost maddening how they keep assuming the other isn't feeling the same, but it's going to make the eventual revelation so powerful, it'll be a triumph in itself.

[sabina]

Hi everyone




screeminguitar
Thank you

Well, at least now you have the right soundtrack playing in your head for this fic

And I could think of worse things than having pictures of Angelina Jolie on my head

Thank you for reading




TKOLove
Hey, it’s my wonderful beta reader

(ah, ok I’m feeling a little goofy today, sorry

). I’m glad that you liked the chapter and thank you for replying

I wanted to show that their connection runs a lot deeper than a simple physical attraction. They love each other and that’s what matters. You aren’t complaining about the amount of teasing, are you?




Imperfectly Me
Thank you for your patience




Tempest Duer
LOL. Oh well, you never know if someday the money who would have lost on that bet canbe useful for something else




michellesflute
Thank you

Wow… so many nice emoticons. Ah, now you made me blush

And you like the way I write Willow babble… I think you just made my day






Artemis
Hi Artemis

I’m glad that you’re liking this fic

I hope to be able to live to the expectations and write a worthy conclusion to the long teasing




And now without further delays here is chapter eleven:



• Title:
The Artifact

• Author:
sabina

• Feedback:
Yes, please. I crave it.

• Distribution:
Anywhere. Just please ask me first.

• Spoilers:
No spoilers whatsoever. This is an AU fic.

• Rating:
It is going to get to NC-17.

• Pairing:
W/T

• Disclaimer:
The “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” series and its characters are the property of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. The “Tomb Raider” videogame is the property of Eidos Interactive and Core Design. This fic is not meant to infringe any copyrights.

• Summary:
Willow and Tara are two strong and independent tomb raiders who are both hired to find the same artifact. Trapped inside a temple they realize that not everything is what it seems and they have to work together and fight side by side for their lives as they try to find the way out.


• Note 1:
I want to thank my beta reader TKOLove, who has supported this idea and putted up with all my questions and doubts since the beginning without ever complaining.
Your work makes this fic a better one, so thank you TKOLove.

• Note 2:
I love Tomb Raider and this fic was something that had been in the back of my mind for long. Now I finally decided to write it. I hope you all enjoy reading it.

• Note 3:
Thoughts are in
italics





Chapter eleven




They slept soundly all night.
In the morning the redhead was the first to wake up.She felt a warm body tightly wrapped around her own, and it brought a smile to her face even before she opened her eyes.
Willow was lying on her side, hugging Tara close to her heart.The blonde’s face was buried in the redhead’s neck, their breasts were pressing against each other, and their feet were entwined.The redhead had her arms around the blonde’s neck and Tara was embracing Willow’s waist.

Willow was feeling rested and refreshed like she’d never felt before meeting Tara.She’d never been a morning person; in the past whenever she had to get up early she’d been cranky and upset for the rest of the day.But she now realized that she wouldn’t mind waking every day at dawn if it meant being greeted by the sight and the feel of Tara cradled in her arms.
Her happy smile suddenly turned into a frown as a sad thought entered her mind.


Oh boy…How am I going to be able to sleep after we get out of here and go our separated ways?Now that I know how good it feels to fall asleep in her arms, how will I manage to rest in my cold bed all by myself?I’m a mortal who dared to dream about a Goddess.I was allowed into the heaven of her arms, and now I’ll be punished for letting myself believe and fall in love.And my penalty will be to forever dream of what I can never again have…to be haunted by glimpses of silky blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes.


Willow pulled Tara to her heart desperately and buried her head in silky blonde tresses.She inhaled deeply, trying to take in all that was Tara.The blonde smelled like a warm spring breeze.

Good grief! What am I doing?Harassing the poor girl in her sleep?What on Earth is wrong with me?Next thing I know I’ll be stalking her just in the hope that the wind brings her scent to me,
Willow chastised herself.

In the meantime, the sudden movement had awoken Tara.But she wasn’t complaining; the first things she felt were two strong arms hugging her close to a warm body.She felt that this was right…this was her place to be.Next to Willow she felt whole and complete.

If this is what I can expect to feel every time I wake up, then I think in the future I’ll make a point of waking up several times…maybe in the middle of the night.
Tara smiled without making the slightest movement, not even bothering to open her eyes.

But then, just as Willow had, Tara felt a sense of dread when she thought about this being just temporary and how she’d soon have to go back to her lonely life.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to sleep soundly again without feeling your warm body next to mine, Willow.But I’ll have to be strong and let you go.Your safety and happiness mean more to me than my own, anyway.


Tara opened her eyes and pulled her head up from its resting place.What greeted her was a sight that never failed to take her breath away.Her eyes met Willow’s amazing emerald orbs, and her breath caught in her throat as she gazed into them.

Her lips started to tingle, urging her to lean closer and claim Willow’s mouth in a scorching kiss…a kiss that would convey all the passion and love burning bright and strong inside the blonde.The desire she’d pushed down over and over again was now demanding to be giving free reign.

The blonde felt overwhelmed by blazing need.She wanted to devour the redhead whole, to savor her to the last bite, to drink her to the last drop.
Her brain was trying hard to control her body.It was a tough battle, but in the end – as always before – her conscience emerged victorious over her desires and the blonde looked away.


It’s getting harder and harder to resist her pull.One more second and I’d have kissed her.And it wasn’t going to be a kiss that could have been dismissed as friendly…it was going to be a desperate…hungry…thirsty…kiss.One more second and I would have driven away the person that means more to me than anyone else in the world.Oh Goddess, how am I going to manage to keep my hands and my tongue to myself until this ends?


As Tara looked away, Willow was left gazing into blonde hair, and her lips were left burning and wanting.She ran her tongue over the aching flesh of her own lips, in an attempt to soothe the overwhelming need to feel Tara’s lips pressed against hers.


For a second I thought she was going to kiss me, but of course not…I was just seeing what I wanted to see…or maybe I saw my eyes reflected in those clear blue mirrors.Good thing she looked away, because I’m sure I wouldn’t have.And well, I’m also sure that if we’d kept our eyes locked on each other, I wouldn’t have been able to resist the allure of those full…luscious…lips.And it wasn’t going to be a soft caress, either.The way heat is coursing through my body, I was going to ravage her mouth with my lips and tongue…and that would be bad, because…Hello!…Tara doesn’t want me that way!Oh Goddess, how am I going to keep myself sane until we get out of here?


They both looked at the river absently, lost in their thoughts for a little while, trying to calm down their heated desires.It was Willow who broke the silence.
“Tara?”
“Yeah?” Tara said, turning her head to look at the redhead.
Willow was struck speechless for a second, as she was once again staring deep into sapphire.


Oh God.She’s gorgeous.I could swear she gets more beautiful by the second.Or then again, maybe the repeated increases of temperature caused by intense arousal fried my brain, and I just keep forgetting how stunning she really is.Talking about temperature rising…here we go again.Yeah, I think my brain’s fried!What am I doing still gazing at her eyes?Oh…god…she has the most amazing blue eyes.There’s no ocean, no sky, no gem this blue.Good grief!Focus, Woman!


Willow shook her head and tried to focus on speaking.When she spoke, her voice was somewhat high-pitched, but otherwise normal.
“Last night we didn’t talk about what happened to you during your search.And we also didn’t discuss what we found or well…didn’t find.”There was a small pause before the redhead continued in a small voice.
“How did you get hurt?”

Willow wouldn’t meet Tara’s eyes, afraid of once again floating adrift in a haze of love and lust.She didn’t know how many of those fogs she could navigate before letting herself be lost and giving into her desires.With her head down, she didn’t notice Tara’s slight flinch at being posed the question.

The blonde knew this was coming, and she was both surprised and thankful that Willow hadn’t asked her earlier about what happened.Although she’d gone through lots of life or death situations before, this one had been the most desperate.She wasn’t happy about having to remember exactly how close she’d been to not making it, but she knew she couldn’t hide anything from Willow.
So Tara braced herself and told the redhead what happened.

She recounted the trance episode lightheartedly.She didn’t want to tell the redhead just how lost she’d truly been and that only through a vision of Willow had she regained her focus.She managed to make that incident sound unimportant and harmless.
She was planning to censor the rest of her mask-hunting experiences in much the same way, but when she got to the part about crashing through the hole, her voice suddenly cracked.Her memory was instantly saturated with images from the moments when she was sure she was about to die.

“Suddenly I fel-felt myself fal-fall…falling.”Tara cursed her stutter.

That was smooth.So how exactly am I going to convince her that it wasn’t a big deal if I start stuttering like an idiot?

The blonde had stopped talking for a moment – trying to focus on making her voice hold – when she felt two strong but tender arms enveloping her and pulling her tightly towards a slender and warm body.

Willow hadn’t been able to stop herself from hugging the blonde close to her heart.She’d been listening carefully, and Tara’s description of the ‘hypnotic incident’ had chilled her to the bone.Still, she’d managed to keep herself calm, noting that Tara hadn’t been seriously hurt during her time spent wandering around rather carelessly in the woods.

But now…this was a whole different story.Willow could tell, by the nervous stutter and the way the blonde’s body went stiff, that whatever happened during and after the fall had injured and frightened Tara badly.And the redhead couldn’t just sit idly by while the woman who held her heart was hurting so deeply…just inches away.

Tara was completely caught by surprise by the redhead’s sudden movement, but she quickly recovered from the shock.She pressed back against Willow and rested her head contently just above the redhead’s heart.
It warmed her soul to once again be lying in the redhead’s arms.
The blonde resumed her tale, this time without a hint of stutter.She felt as if nothing negative could touch her as long as the redhead was holding her.

She told Willow all about how she managed to hang on to a small rock.How she had to let go of that stone and drop to the next one and so on, just to get to the bottom of the hole.Then she explained about the jump she had to make over the deadly spikes, and that she’d maneuvered to reach the security of the small cavern just as her arms were about to give out.She then told of finding the rabbit mask and the small tunnel to the surface, ending with the recollection of her difficult ascension to the top.

Willow hugged Tara close as the blonde finished her narrative.Knowing she’d been so close to losing her one true love sent shivers through her spine.

Breathe, Willow.She’s fine…she’s safe here with you.Just remember to keep breathing.

For a long moment they remained still, basking in their proximity and in the heat they could feel radiating from each other.Drawing strength from one another.

Tara cracked the silence this time.
“So…what about you, Willow?How was your mask-hunting?”
The redhead responded without letting the blonde go.

I never want to let go!I don’t care if I die from lack of water or food.I’m not letting go! Oh Yeah, Rosenberg.That’s such a good plan.
Willow sighed before answering Tara.

“Well, it was uneventful, really.I just had a little rendezvous with a psycho-yellowish-red-streaked flower that wanted to eat me.It was truly nothing,” the redhead said nonchalantly.She figured Tara had enough of her own troubles and didn’t need to worry about the redhead’s as well.

But when she saw Tara’s head shoot up from its resting place and a pair of horrified blue eyes began searching frantically along Willow’s face and body, looking for wounds or marks of some kind, she knew she’d used the wrong tactics to prevent the blonde from worrying.She started to backpedal…fast.
“Did I say ‘eat me’?Well, I’m not really sure about that.I mean, it was only trying to lure me near it…maybe it was nothing…just…you know…your average friendly-type of little flower…they…uh…can’t stand people being away from their sides.Spoiled brats…that’s what they are!”

A tiny part of Willow’s brain knew she wasn’t making any sense at all, but the majority of it didn’t care.All she wanted was to wipe the worried look from her angel’s eyes.She was rewarded when she saw Tara first light up with a smile and then start to giggle softly.

Oh God, I love this woman,
the blonde thought, as she turned to lean back into Willow’s embrace.

“So besides meeting this ‘friendly flower’ of yours, what else happened to you?”
“Umm…let me see.I found the fish mask at the bottom of the river…and then I searched the woods for the remainder of the time.I also found the location of another mask, but the whole setting seemed kind of tricky so I wanted to go back there with you before trying to retrieve it.And that was it.After that I came running to the door to meet you.”

The redhead blushed when the implication of what she’d just said reached her brain.

Why did I tell her that I came back running?Eager much?Oh man…now she’s going to think I’m a dork.

Tara missed the redhead’s flustered state; she was still looking down the river with her head buried in the crook of Willow’s shoulder.

“So, we now have three masks and know the location of a fourth one.That means we’re one mask short and we’ve searched the whole area,” the blonde said seriously.Willow thought for a minute before speaking.

“Well, I think we should try to get the fourth mask and then we could worry about the location of the other one.Don’t worry, I’m sure that we’ll work something out ‘cause…hey…we’re the best in the world,” the redhead said cheerfully.
She, too, was worried about how they would find the last mask, but they were together, and she had faith in them as a team.
Tara smiled as she listened to Willow.


As long as I’m with you, I could go search for an ice cube in Hell.Not only that…I’m certain that together we’d find it.You make me believe, Willow.


“I think you’re right.Well, we should probably eat something and then go search for that other mask you mentioned,” Tara said.
“I suppose that by ‘something’ you mean those stupid protein balls.Oh man, I miss eating toast or pancakes…and drinking real milk…Mmmm.Not that powdered junk…yuck.You know, I brought some of that stuff with me once, and let me just tell you…well, it’s not a nice story…”

One thing the redhead said caught Tara’s attention, and she blurted out what she’d been thinking before she could help herself – cutting the redhead off mid-babble.
“Pancakes are my specialty.When we get out of here I’d love for you to come to my house for breakfast sometime.”


Oh God, Oh God!I just invited Willow for breakfast!What was I thinking?Asking somebody over for breakfast is not normal… Lunch, dinner, that’s ok, but breakfast?What will she think?She’ll be freaked and I’ll never…
Tara’s thoughts were interrupted by Willow’s enthusiastic answer.
“Pancakes?Count me in.I so love pancakes.”


Maybe I could sleep over at your house.We could ravage each other all night long… until we can’t move.I’m sure the ‘morning-after’ pancakes would be the best-tasting ones I’ve ever had.Oh, get a grip.The girl’s offering you pancakes for breakfast, not an X-rated
after-dinner dessert.


Tara’s smile could outshine the sun.


Yay!She said yes to having breakfast with me.Now I wonder what she’d say about a romantic dinner by candlelight, a slow dance, and a hot, wet, sweaty meeting with me on the couch afterwards…mmmh.There I go again.There’s just no stopping me, is there?Let’s face it, that’ll never happen, so why am I teasing myself endlessly with these thoughts?

“Ok, so it’s settled.”Tara’s throat had ached to let the words ‘It’s a date’ go through, but as always, she’d managed to control herself at the last second.

“It is,” the redhead said with a smile.She had also felt the words ‘It’s a date’ tease her lips, but just as with Tara, the fear of rejection had retained the words within.
“So, now that my mouth is watering because of those pancakes we were talking about, I think it’s time for us to eat our lovely protein balls.Heck…I’m sure that today it’ll be even less satisfying than usual, “ Willow added in a voice displaying faux annoyance, before pouting.
The blonde just smiled.Her fellow raider looked almost too cute for words while pouting.

“You go ahead and start to eat.I’m going to wash my hair and I’ll be back in a couple of minutes, ok?”
Willow only nodded.She turned her back to the river and started to eat her proteins as calmly as possible.She had to take her mind off Tara and focus on the task that lay ahead.
Just as the blonde had promised, she was back in a couple of minutes.Her usually light blonde hair was now darkened by the water and made her sparkling sapphire eyes stand out even more.As Willow looked at her the redhead had to swallow hard.


She is so beautiful.
Willow turned her eyes away from the blonde because she was sure she had love and adoration pouring from them. So she just kept eating her proteins, silently looking at the ground.

Tara ate her own protein ball quietly, and only when she was finished did she speak.
“Ok, I think it’s time we go.”
The redhead nodded and got up as well.“I left a spool of cotton thread on the middle of a path near the river.If we follow the thread, we should go straight to the place where I saw the other mask.”
“Lead the way.”Tara bowed jokingly.

They both slid their game faces into place and tensed their muscles.They were ready for action.It didn’t take them long to get to the place where Willow had left the reel.The redhead picked up the thread carefully and followed it with Tara right behind her.After a little while they reached the open space in the middle of the trees that Willow immediately recognized.

“This is it,” the redhead said unnecessarily.It was meant more to break the silence than to be a useful piece of information.
Tara simply nodded her head, signaling that she’d heard the redhead.She’d already spotted the mask on the middle of the platform and caught sight of the large rift around it that protected the golden object.

Just as Willow had done the first time she’d arrived at this place, the blonde walked carefully all around the huge and apparently bottomless hole.She stopped for a couple of seconds near the small pillar and stared at the inscriptions before resuming her journey around the rift.When she was satisfied with her search, she returned to the redhead’s side.

“It’s impossible to make the jump from here to the platform, so I guess the answer lies in that small pillar with all the inscriptions,” the blonde said quietly.

“Yeah, I thought so, too.That was one of the reasons I wanted to come back here with you instead of trying to get the mask myself.It’s obvious the reason why there’s a depression in the form of a hand on top of the pillar is for one of us to put her hand in it.But I had no idea what it would do…the pillar has hieroglyphs inscribed all over it and it probably explains what we have to do... but as I’ve said before, I can’t read hieroglyphs so I could have gotten stuck, or killed…or…oh I know!Maybe I’d have accidentally started the temple’s self-destruction sequence!Ok, maybe that’s a little far-fetched and too science-fictiony, but…well…what I mean is that something bad could have happened to me…and then I’d have never made it back to you.”

The redhead blushed when she heard herself confess that her main concern – and the only thing that had prevented her from trying to put her hand in the pillar – was the fear of missing their reunion.

Oh Gosh…Could I be more of an idiot?Why do I babble on and on?And even worse…why do I, in the middle of that babble fest, always end up blurting out exactly what I should keep buried deep inside?
Willow sighed.

Tara fought the grin she felt forming on her lips as she heard the redhead babble.

Oh my God.She is just so cute…and…and she was afraid that she would miss our rendezvous.


Tara felt her heart begin to hammer in her chest and she chastised herself heavily.It was becoming more and more frequent for her to lose herself in Willow-filled daydreams.Soon she wouldn’t be able to control herself and would make a move on the redhead…and that was something she couldn’t afford to do.


Don’t read too much into this.She was just being rational.We have to stick together to beat this thing and get out of here alive.That’s the only reason she was so concerned about missing our meeting.It’s not like she loves me or anything like that…as if that were even possible!Get real, Tara!Stop fantasizing about a happy ending that’s never going to happen… And stop looking and sounding like the love-struck fool you are!You have no right to burden her with your unrequited love.


Tara sighed heavily.She’d made a decision; from now on she would be nothing but professional with the redhead.
Then she took a moment to steel herself before speaking in a serious and professional voice.
“Well, I think it’s best for me to get to work and start translating, so we can move on.”
Willow noticed the metallic tone of the blonde’s voice…and it chilled her.


Nice.Way to go, Rosenberg!See where putting your foot in your mouth’ll lead you?Now she thinks I’m a lunatic and she’s shutting me out!Oh Goddess… please let me hear her sweet, melodic voice at least one more time.Oh get a grip on yourself!What is happening to me?I am a cold, tough and respected tomb raider.My name is whispered reverently and respectfully by anyone who’s ever met me, and adventurers tremble with the idea of facing me.I’ve lived on my own forever, and now I’m acting like a puppy that was left outside in the rain, just because Tara’s warm voice no longer surrounds me!I have to put on my game face now, I have to focus…even if my heart is bleeding and my body is torn with yearning for her.She made it clear with her tone of voice that she wants this to be strictly business.


When the redhead spoke, her voice was cold and her eyes sharp as razorblades.She could feel her body and heart melting at the mere sight of the blonde and it made her sick to her stomach to maintain her harsh façade.But she did it, because she thought it was what the blonde wanted.And she would always respect Tara’s wishes, even when it broke her heart and tore apart her body and soul.
“Ok then.I’ll watch your back.”

The blonde had already turned her back on the redhead and started walking towards the pillar when she heard Willow’s small statement.She shivered when she heard the uncharacteristic, right-to-the-point kind of sentence and the hard tone of voice that the redhead used.She felt herself growing cold all of the sudden, but she pushed the pain she was feeling to the back of her mind and tried to focus on the task at hand.


She heard my professional-like voice and slid her own armor in place.Now I’ll never hear Willow’s sweet voice again…Oh god…calm down…this was for the best.This will protect her.I just wish it wouldn’t hurt so much.

She quickly reached the column and sat next to it, rapidly immersing herself in translating the markings in front of her.

Willow simply stood in place, silently.First she tried to completely empty her brain of all thoughts, but it was too noisy up there for her to be able to shut everything out.So she decided to focus on anything other than the amazing, kind, and gorgeous blonde that was sitting just a few steps away from her.

She’d been staring blankly at the mask on the platform and wondering how it was that all those trees could survive inside a room in an underground temple for what seemed like forever…when she heard Tara calling her.
“Willow.”
“Yes?”
“I’ve finished the translation.You were right; it’s a set of instructions for reaching the mask.”
“So, how do we do it?”Willow said calmly.


I miss Willow’s enthusiasm.And yes…I miss her babble.


“Well, one of us has to put her hand on top of the column.When she does so, a path to reach the mask will appear.The thing is, she has to keep her hand in place all the time, otherwise the path disappears from sight.”
“So, the one of us who goes to the other side will be on her own,” Willow stated.
The blonde only nodded.
“I’ll do it,” the redhead said flatly.

Tara opened her mouth to protest, but Willow cut her off before a single sound could leave her lips.
“You were injured yesterday and you’re still hurt.You might not be physically fit to stand up to this.I’m our best chance,” the redhead declared, detachment pouring out of her voice.

Tara felt her heart breaking into a thousand pieces.

So this is the Willow that everyone talks about.The Willow I’d never seen…the one with an iron grip on her emotions and a clear and cold mind when it comes to overcoming any challenge.But I know that the real Willow is the other one.The one I have seen…the one I’ve held close to my heart...the warm, sweet, compassionate woman with kind, sparkling, emerald eyes.But that one is not mine to keep.


Her soul was rebelling against the distance that was suddenly between them.It felt wrong to hear the sharp sound of Willow’s voice when she knew that the redhead could be as soft as a breeze and as tender as the morning sun.But Tara answered her in the same business-like tone the redhead had used.

“I think you’re right.”The blonde managed to make her voice hold even as she could feel her insides cringing with the idea of seeing Willow risk her life.The redhead was indeed their best chance, so there was nothing that Tara could do to stop her.


I wonder if Willow felt anything like this when I had to climb those columns with the chainsaws working under me…

“So let’s do it.”

Neither of them spoke another word as Tara went to the column and placed her hand on top of it.Just as the blonde’s hand connected with the pillar, suspended columns started to appear.The new pillars made a path that stretched from where both women were standing to the mask.There were open spaces between the columns but Willow would have no problem jumping across them.

The redhead carefully placed her feet on the first column, ready to jump back at the first sign of danger.When she let her full weight be supported by the pillar, she tensed waiting for some kind of trap, but nothing happened.So Willow stood on the first pillar without having any kind of trouble.

Tara, seeing that Willow was all right, released a breath she didn’t even know she was holding.

Maybe there are no traps linked to this mask.Maybe the only conditions that exist here are the necessity to read the hieroglyphs and keeping my hand here.


In the meantime, the redhead had proceeded to the next column, and when nothing happened again her confidence grew, and she started to move faster.She quickly reached the platform and the mask.Willow saw that the mask lay in the middle of overgrown grass.It was the snake mask.The redhead looked all around her for a moment trying to determine if there would be any danger in picking up the mask.When she saw none, she decided to go for it.

“I’m going to pick up the mask,” she shouted to the blonde.
“Be careful,” Tara whispered softly.

As the redhead lifted the mask from its resting place, she felt a sharp stinging sensation in her hand.She nearly dropped the mask back to the grass, but instead, brought her hand up to see what had happened and found a thorn buried deep inside her skin. She tore the small spike from her flesh and stared silently at it for a few seconds, before dropping it as her vision became blurry and the room began to spin and twist.

“Tara!” she shouted urgently.
The blonde saw that something happened but she didn’t fully understand what.
“Willow!What happened?” the blonde shouted back.Fear and concern echoed in her voice, and her earlier resolve to be impassable was completely forgotten in the face of Willow’s pain.

“I think I’m kinda poisoned.I lifted the mask and felt this awful stinging in my hand, and…and then there was a stupid thorn in my palm.Oh man…I’m having trouble seeing straight and I’m sort of losing my balance…Oh yeah, I’m giving high marks to the ‘me being poisoned’ theory.”

In her urge to go to the redhead, Tara lifted her hand and the path to the platform instantaneously disappeared.

Oh c’mon, Tara.This isn’t the time to panic.Keep your hand on the goddamn column.
The blonde’s body was burning.Her love was in danger and there wasn’t a thing she could do to help, other than talk to her.

She looks like she’s in shock.I have to guide her…I have to be her strength… Oh goddess…think, Tara, think!


The blonde’s face lit up suddenly, and her soft voice, full of confidence, broke the silence.The redhead – who’d been staring blankly at her hand – looked up.
“Willow!I don’t think it’s a deadly poison.You had no way to avoid it, so this must be just another part of the challenge.The platform you’re standing on isn’t large enough to hold you if you faint.So you need to come back here, Willow.Just come back to me and everything will be all right.”

The redhead’s brain was becoming fuzzier by the second, but the blonde’s voice broke through the haze of winding forms, colors and sounds.She didn’t even care if she was about to fall down that hole, but she would do anything to please Tara.The blonde wanted Willow to go to her, so that was what the redhead would do.
“Ok, I’m going.”The redhead made a move to the first column.When Willow almost missed it Tara screamed in horror.“NO!”

When Willow heard the blonde’s scream, she lifted her head and sent a reassuring smile in Tara’s general direction before shouting, “I’m ok!It’s all fine. Finey McFine…that’s me!”
She looked down again and tried to focus on the winding pillars.

As Willow resumed her journey back to safety, Tara couldn’t breathe and her heart nearly stopped beating.She concentrated on sending all of her strength to a certain slender redhead…who at that moment was tumbling and tripping as if horribly drunk.
Every time Willow moved she made a leap of faith, since what lined her vision had become more and more difficult to read.

“Man… stupid winding columns…stop moving!Next time I think I’ll go flying…I’ll go with that floating penguin…and then I don’t have to worry about pillars dancing.There’s no music anyway!What are you stupid floating things dancing for?Can’t you have your party some other time?Hey…maybe you could invite those gigantic rolling stones…Oooh!Then you’ll have music…’cause…you know…Rolling Stones…but I don’t know if columns and spheres go together…anyway, stop moving!I’m trying to walk here.Jeez.”

The redhead never stopped mumbling all through her journey.Tara would have smiled – it was comforting to hear Willow babble again – but the incoherency of the redhead’s speech showed her just how deeply Willow was intoxicated.
Willow almost lost her balance two times, and again Tara could feel her heart nearly stop when she thought her love was going to fall.She could feel it resume its beating motions when the redhead managed to hold herself.Now she was only a column away from safety, but Tara knew that Willow could faint at any second; all the blood had drained from her face and her green eyes were glazing over.

She had to do something, so she tried to talk to the redhead.
“Willow!C’mon, you can do it.Take that step to the last column and then I can go and get you.But you’ll have to take that last step on your own.”
“Don’t wanna!I don’t see any column.”The redhead’s voice was almost childlike.Tara felt like her world was about to shatter.

So that’s why she stopped there!?She can’t see the pillar…Oh goddess…What can I do?!What can I do?!Help me!


“Willow, the pillar is one big step toward two o’clock.Trust me.”She saw the redhead’s forehead frown but then Willow made up her mind and took that last step.She reached the last column, but then lost her balance and started to fall.
Tara moved at the speed of light and she caught the redhead just in time.They both fell backwards to safety; Tara landed on her back with the redhead on top of her.She didn’t even feel the pain from the fall…the only thought on her mind was that Willow made it back to her.
For a moment neither of them moved.The blonde hugged the redhead fiercely, while tears ran down her face.


I almost lost her!She’s safe now…she’s safe!

“You’re safe now.You can let go and sleep now, Willow.I’ve got you and I’m not going to let you go.I’m sure that when you wake up you’ll be as good as new,” the blonde said tenderly, while she moved her hand to lightly caress the redhead’s hair.

The way the poison worked so fast, it’ll probably leave your system soon.At least I hope so.You have to be all right when you wake up, Willow.I won’t survive seeing you die in my arms.


“I love your voice.It’s so smooth and warm.I don’t like it when you hide your voice behind that other harsh, cold voice.I like this one much better,” the redhead said, in a sleepy and satisfied manner.
And then Willow moved, and as if to give emphasis to what she’d just said, she buried her head between Tara’s breasts.She settled in that spot, sighed contentedly, and was fast asleep within seconds.

Tara looked down to the sleeping woman and she felt her heart swell with love.

I love you so much, Willow.I could never refuse you anything.I was just reminded about how thin this line is that we walk between life and death.One step in the wrong direction and it’s over.If friendship is all I can have with you, and if these are the only moments we’ll have together, then I’d better make damned sure that I fully enjoy it all.


“I won’t hide from you again.So you sleep tight, my angel, and I’ll be here when you wake up.I’ll always be here.”
Tara leaned her head down and pressed her lips reverently and softly against red hair.

It was a promise.


****************

Ok, so this it for today, kittens


I hope you have liked it. If you have the time please let me know what you thought about this chapter


(feedback!! feedback!!



)






"I know I was born and I know that I'll die.
The in between is mine.
I am mine!" - Pearl Jam

[BFR from Paris]

Good, they're progressing

I'm thinking smoochies in the next chapter



Willow keeps stumbling on hypno flowers, I'm so jealous!

[Arwen276]

Umm my heart sank when they got into their "game faces" and harsh voices...and I was like, Man, they were so close!



Now with Tara's new resolutions and Willow's hallucination-induced-comment, we can expect more!!





oh and more!!!



~Arwen

Hear That Baby? You're My Always... Willow

[Grimlock72]

Weeeeeee :-) An update, an update



It never ceases to amaze me how both Willow and Tara can so radically mis-interpret each other. I know they have issues with trust and love in general but still, it must have been difficult working with them in any group .



What I did miss is Willow checking Tara injuries on waking up. Are those injuries gone or at least closed ? She did have a valid point about doing that snake challenge thing herself, Tara would have been to weakened with the combined effects. I do wonder if getting the snake-amulet out it's socket using a twig or something would have prevented the sting. After all lots of evil critters can hide in tombs, scarabea anyone ?? : -->



Hehe, those other Gods gambled and lost as far as the snake poisoning is concerned. Not only did Willow survive, due to the poison she also openened up to Tara. That will work in both their favour eventually. Though some detachement can be usefull at times, to concentrate on difficult stuff. Good thing that Tara sad the platform was too small to hold Willow if she fell asleep, that was my first thought... just let her sleep off the poison there.



Huge amount of trust displayed there, jumping to a coloumn you can see yourself. Poor Willow, being sort of drunk and all childlike. I can so imagine her saying stufflike "don't wanna", made me smile despite her not-so-good situation. That entire paragraph about Willow mumbling, concerning Rolling Stones, dancing columns without music and penguins, was sooo fun and utterly pouting Willow



Tara's opinion about how the poison couldn't be fatal was interesting. I'm not entirely sure on what she bases that though. We don't really know how much both of them know about this temple/tomb at all. We, the readers, know more about it then either of them sure... but what do they know combined ? Why for example would traps HAVE to be survivable by intruders ? Makes little sense . I'm wondering about this because once they've figured out the purpose of the temple tests it will be easier, I think



I'm sure Tara will guard over Willow in her probably restless sleep. Of course these moments won't be the only one they'll have together. They've just made arrangements (to avoid 'date' :-) to have breakfast together.



This line was sweet too:

Quote:

---

As long as I'm with you, I could go search for an ice cube in Hell. Not only that.I'm certain that together we'd find it. You make me believe, 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

Edited by: Grimlock72 at: 11/23/03 4:21 pm

[The Rose24]

Ugh! They shut down again.



I guess Willow getting injured is a blessing in disguise. It makes them bring their walls down again. This is when Willow gets injured, and now, it is Tara's turn to take care of Willow.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

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

[ExtraFlameh Candlelit]

Look at what you did! Made me stop reading my World History!!! ::kicks world history:: Okay well, lemme guess, Willow didn't hear Tara just like Tara didn't hear Willow at the end. Alas, I'm beginning to laugh at your teasing, I sit there and mock it like "Ooh, they're gonna get all hot and aroused and then one of them will look away and have this whole conversation in their head about it" Hehe, oh well...it seems that the 'first kiss' is coming soon! After all, got a kiss on the head from Ah well, I'm glad the update came in finally...I was beginning to worry about my daily fix of Willow and Tara Goodness, not to forget I marked in my brainy-o that the update for your fic would be during the weekend...however, I still checked every weekday for some strange reason... Okay well I suppose I should get back to work even though my girlfriend told me to go to sleep by 11...bad me



Hope you'll be able to update sooner as BioChem should be slowing up soon!!!



-Ellen

[TKOLove]

Sabina...



Another excellent chapter.



Poor intoxicated Willow. Penguins, Rolling Stones, spheres. Sure, there's always a lot going on "up there' in Willow's active brain, but add a little cursed crypt juice to her system and she's an absolute gonner. Too funny.



It was so sad that they'd shut down in front of each other again. So afraid to let go and be loved. :::::starts chanting, "let them let go, let them let go!"::::::::::::



And yeah, to answer your question, I am tingling with anticipation over W/T smoochies, just like everyone else. Your teasing is torturous. Good thing I like that kind of suffering. It's been brought to my attention recently that I'm really not allowed to complain about the amount of teasing in this fic, since I might have inadvertently, completely innocently had a very small hand in prolonging it.

::::::::dodges objects thrown by kittens:::::::::

...when we find That Kind of Love...

[irishlassie101]

Hello Sabina,



I must say, every time I read a chapter I think it can´t get better, can´t get more loving and caring and every time you manage to surpass yourself easily !!!!!!!!!!!!!



Chapter eleven certainly saved me use my De-Makeup tonight, it was soooooooo beautiful...two souls desperate in love and yet blind (very blind)



So...how long more will they have to suffer





Will there not be release soon ??????????

I hope the room they will be in at that time has been built to last, because the two could produce some....heat...yes...heat is sthe right word !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Loking forward to the...heat.......



Aishling



PS.: I love your long and detailed chapters so much...is your Beta TKOlove spent already...or still alive ?????!!!!!

[2DIAMONDS]

Hey Sabina



Aaarghhh!!! No smoochies yet?! That's outrageous and outright mean!



Well, seeing as though it took a while for Willow and Tara to admit their feelings to themselves, it's going to take a bit longer to admit them to each other.



But you're still a meanie I get my hopes up as soon as I see an update. Our girls wake up all snuggly and warm. I'm expecting a kiss, looks like it's finally going to happen, and then the moment is gone. I'm encouraged by the breakfast date, but then they go right back to putting some distance between each other. It's too much of a emotional roller coaster ride without at least one kiss is all I'm saying.



Need more and soon!



Helen

xoxo

[shuyaku]

When they went back to the whole, "All work and no play" cold voices and the walls slammed up again - I was all NO! NO! NO! But a big YAY! to the poisoned induced "I love your voice." Well a big no to poison, cuz poison is definitely of the bad, but non-deadly babble inducers are of the good



more soon

-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)

[barnabasvamp]

Should have know that Willow would be hurt somehow, since Tara already had been.



I really enjoy your descriptions of their thoughts, as an expresion of how they feel. Great update!

BV

"When choosing between two evils, I always like to take the one I've never tried before"-Mae West

[Red Jassy]

oh w0w.. that's an amazing update. way to go

its sad though willow have to be poisoned and why did tara have to be business like. tsk..tsk.. now she worries ugh.. oh men.. willow's weak. hmmm.. she needs tara lovin'..



thanks for another great update..

still your humble reader,

Red Jassy

---

Cause you were made for me/Somehow I'll make you see/How happy you make me


I can't live this life/Without you by my side/I need you to survive
So stay with me/You look in my eyes and I'm screaming inside/that I'm sorry. » Evanescence

[allykat]

WOW! This was just excellent!

I loved everything about this, especially the waking-up together part, the breakfast talk, and Willow telling Tara how she loves her voice..

Keep up the fantastic work!

[willow fan7]

Hi Sabina,

I can't believe I just found this fic, actually not just found it, but just started reading it. I was never the a big Tomb Raider fan, in fact, I've never watched it (Don't scream at me please ) So when I realised this fic was sorta based on Tomb Raider, I never got round to reading it. And just this morning, I decided to give it a try, and I spent the WHOLE afternoon reading it. If this was a book I'd say I couldn't put it down! But it's not, so I'll settle for, I could not tear my eyes of the screen!



I absolutely love the whole storyline! From the beginning to the last update. I can totally picture woozy Willow, babbling to herself, that part got me giggling to myself. It's amazing how on the outside, they seem like strong and independent women, but on the inside however, they're both so insecure.

I love it that you're taking your time in getting them together, that builds so much suspense. At certain parts of the story, I felt like I wanted to tear my hair off in frustration! They're soo close, but not close enough. But it's a really good kind of frustration.



Now, I'm off to reread your story agaib and wait patiently for the next brilliant update!!! Maybe not that

patiently, but enough to check for it everday!



p.s. Tomb Raider is definitely on my to-watch list.

[bluewillowwitch]

sabina ,

I love this fic! You are ! Come on, and have to get together soon, right? The suspence is killing me! They are so close yet so far. It is really sad. Can't wait to more. Update soon, please?





Grace

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

[screeminguitar]

Wow--that was really full of high adventure and love. My favorite combination!!



I love how they both spoke their hearts out loud just as the other one fell asleep. WHAT TIMING--they both have!



This is great!! SO WHEN THE MUTUAL LOVING STARTS WILL THERE BE WHIPS??? hahaha--ok ok --I'm jumping ahead a bit.

I truly love the pace this story is going--I just think when they show mutual love that it will be explosive!! So no complaining on my part about the lovin' pace!!



I love how you make up these challanges that they must endure to obtain their prize.--Good imagination!!



Will one of them confess being gay to get the love rolling? Hummmmm??? Huhhhh?!!



Thanks for this great FIC --rock on friend!!!



Marie

[ExtraFlameh Candlelit]

Good god I almost had a heart-attack thinking that there was an update! For serious, not kidding, now my chest hurts...needs to slow down...pooh! Haha! jk, Sabina, I still love you and your updates that take longer because they're longer. Teehee



-Ellen

[Tempest Duer]

Oh, come on Sabina! Out one of them already! They're both so smitten, they shouldn't have to suffer too much longer... the whole liking 's voice was a definite plus, but... poor hurt

Edited by: Warduke at: 11/27/03 8:38 pm

[michellesflute]

Oh my god, sometimes I really wonder how blind can one person be?! Or to be more precise, how blind can two wonderful tomb raider be?



Wonderful update!!

You think you can manage to get them together before christmas? Or do we have to wait till next year? I so hope not!!



Kisses and gay love in the next update?

Or at least ... a little kiss

Wie soll ich meine Seele halten, dass sie nicht an Deine rührt... - Rilke

How can I keep my soul in me, so that it doesn't touch your soul...

[sam7777]

Another great Chapter!! I love the love and concern between W/T. As much as I want to see them bump uglies, the way you have established their character with their back stories and traumas, it make perfect sense (to me anyway) that they are both holding back and can't believe in the love. Tara came from an abusive home and Willow has major abandonment issues. Both get their self esteem from their job: being the best tomb raiders but not from themselves. Consequently, they both have major self esteem issues that prevents them from seeing themselves as desirable to the other despite the massive evidence to the contrary. In addition, it seems to me that neither has had a relationship and it's hard to jump from that to soulmates even for a spry tomb raider. They know they trust and care about each other and the clue by four will hit but not till they are both ready and that will take a while. I'm loving the suspense and still think it will be a nuclear explosive level bang when they finally figure it all out. Thanks for a great story!!!

_____________________

I see dead lesbian cliches

[Axel Avalon]

OMG That was amzing. I've been following this story from the

beginning. It's such a good story. You rock!!! I am praying for an update soon. Please.

[good2cats]

Hi,
This story keeps getting better and better.The sexual tension is palpable.My mind keeps screaming just kiss the girl damn it.Please update soon your story is great.
Be well,Karen

[Puff]

Oh I started reading this fic on Through the looking glass today and I really enjoyed it. I love the tension that is building up between them and how much they care about each other. Only one mask to go and I hope it is easier to get than some of the others. Hopefully Tara was right about the poison as well and it will get out of Willow's system soon.



Anyway I am really enjoying it. Great job.

---

So, the day started and I knew my name and had my pants on. So far, so good. Yay.
Amber Benson

[sabina]

Hi everyone



As always thank you to everyone who has been reading this fic. The view stats never cease to amaze me and it really makes me happy to know that so many people are reading my story

A special thanks goes to all the kittens who have replied. You are the greatest



Ah, now before I get on with the individual replies I wanted to apologise for the lack of updates on this story. I had that stupid bio chem. exam last Friday and it didn’t go very well… at least considering the amount of time and effort that I had put into studying for it

So I didn’t write a single sentence last week because I was studying bio chem. and then after taking that goddamn exam I was feeling a little blue and I used the weekend to do some catching up with friends and… sleep… a lot ( )! So I didn’t add a single word to the artifact on the weekend.



Well that was probably a lot more information than you were interested in reading

Anyway, I am working on a new chapter and (hopefully ) I’ll post chapter twelve on the weekend



So now to the individual replies:



BFR from Paris Sorry for teasing you with the hypno flowers… I still haven’t found them anywhere but I promise that if I do I’ll let you know…

Yeah, they are progressing… Smoochies in the next update? I don’t know



Arwen276 They are still struggling a little against their feelings for each other… But I promise that they getting into their “game faces” was one of the theirs last defence mechanisms… they are getting closer and closer to the point where they won’t be able to hide their feelings anymore



Grimlock72 That bouncy emoticon that you used never fails to bring a huge smile to my face… it’s just too cute

I think neither Willow nor Tara liked team work… they have too many issues with love and trust to rely on others. That’s why even today they both work alone.

Willow didn’t check Tara’s injuries because she wanted to give Tara some space and she trusted that Tara would tell her if she needed help with her wounds. It is one thing to check Tara’s injuries and massage and bandage them in the heat of the moment when Willow realises that her companion is hurt but it is a very different thing to offer to do it again after a good night sleep and with all the urgency gone.

Since all the masks had been traps free when it came to picking them up Willow didn’t think that there would be a trap linked to picking up that one either. Ah… it’s funny that you mentioned scarabs… I have an idea or two that includes those friendly bugs

Often the crypts where artifacts are hidden work mainly as challenges that always have a way of been overcame (at least in the tomb raider world) so that’s why even without knowing the true nature of the temple where they are trapped Tara guessed that the venom wouldn’t be fatal.

I’m glad that you liked the whole “rolling-stones-Willow-babble”. I thought it suited Willow and it was funny to write

And the sentence that you quoted is one of my favourites from this fic

Thank you for reading Grimlock, it’s a pleasure to read your replies. You always make me think everything through and that’s great.



The Rose 24 You’re right, they always do get closer when one of them gets injured… It gives them a perfect excuse to tend to the other and give in to their feelings if only for a little while.



ExtraFlameh Candlelit Hey there Yeah, the first kiss is getting closer… You won’t have to wait much more I promise (just a little bit more )

I’m sorry for not updating for so long but as I explained in the beginning of this post, things didn’t go too well for me last week so I haven’t written much

Thank you for your kind words and for reading

Take it easy with your heart… I love your replies so you can’t go and have a heart attack and leave me “replyless”



TKOLove Thank you It always makes me happy to see a reply from my wonderful beta reader

I’m glad that you liked Willow’s intoxicated babble… I found it hilarious, but of course that I’m a little (tiny, tiny ) bit biased so it’s great to see other people liking it too

I know that you want them to get together just as badly as anyone else (including me ) but I’m glad that you like the bittersweet torture of teasing.

Thank you for all your support. You’re the greatest



irishlassie101 Thank you for all your kind words and emoticons You made my day with your reply

Ah, their suffering won’t last much longer now… just a little while more

I’m glad that you like my long chapters… I think the story flows better than it would if the chapters were shorter.



2DIAMONDS Hey there We are getting closer to smoochies… I promise And I’ll write about their breakfast date… I hope that helps to make up for the present lack of smoochies



shuyaku Lol. I agree with you… in normal conditions it’s better to stay away from poison. But in this case Willow being poisoned was for the best



barnabasvamp Thank you Trapped in a temple full of traps they were bound to get hurt sometime… But at least they are not alone they have each other to help and tend to them



Red Jassy Thank you Tara’s becoming all business like was just one of her last attempts to fight what she feels for Willow… But that didn’t last long, as soon as she saw that Willow was hurt her resolve to be cold and harsh completely melted. And I’m sure she won’t try to hide behind her tough tomb raider façade anymore



allykat Thank you



willow fan7 Hi Welcome aboard to the tomb raider wagon It’s great to see that you are liking my fic even though you’re not familiar with the tomb raider universe.

The artifact is based more on the videogames than on the movies. I love those videogames But the movies are also worth a try… They are fun movies (I liked the first one better than the second) and Angelina Jolie stars in both of them and that’s always a plus

You spent the whole afternoon reading my fic? Wow… :O

Thank you

They both have major love and trust issues and it’s tough for them to open up to each other… they may look tough but in reality they are scared to death of being rejected by the other.

I’m happy that you like the pace of this story, even though sometimes I feel like yelling at myself to just get them together I feel that time is needed for them to get out of their shells and accept that not only they love but they are also loved in return.

Once again thank you for your kind words



bluewillowwitch Hi Yeah, I know… I’m a tease But don’t worry it won’t take much longer for them to get together... Just a little bit more



sreeminguitar Thank you It is always a lot easier to speak your heart when you know that the other person isn’t listening…

I’m glad that you’re liking the story pace and yeah hopefully their lovemaking will be explosive (Ah… I’m just praying that I’ll be able to pull that off )

Ah… I’m not telling anything about how will they get together… You’ll have to read to know



Tempest Duer They are getting closer… It won’t take too much time for them to get together now… Just a little bit more Thank you for reading



michellesflute Thank you Yeah, I do hope to get them together before Christmas… well, there will be some gay love in the next update… sort of…



sam7777 Thank you You’re right on target. They are both pretty confidence about work, about their skill as tomb raiders but when it comes to everything else their self-esteem is really low. They both have major issues that prevent them from believing that someone could find them lovable and desirable and even though it is obvious that they are madly in love with each other they just can’t see it.

I just hope I’ll be able to write a release worthy of all the teasing they are enduring

Thank you once again for your insightful reply.



Axel Avalon Hey there I’m flattered that your first post was a reply to my fic Thank you so much for reading and replying



good2cats Thank you I’m a tease… but they will get their release… eventually



Puff Hum… I won’t tell a thing about Willow’s recovery or the last mask location because that you spoil the suspense You’ll just have to keep reading to find out

Thank you for your kind words… I still feel like doing a happy dance whenever someone says that loves my fic





********************



Ok, so that’s all for today kittens

Hopefully I’ll be back with an update next weekend.

---

"I know I was born and I know that I'll die.

The in between is mine.

I am mine!" - Pearl Jam

[Tempest Duer]

Waiting... waiting patiently... just a little longer... I can wait.... *takes deep breaths*

Willow: Hey Buff. One more thing. Buffy: Yeah? Willow: I’m gay. Buffy: Okay, Will. Xander owes me ten bucks.

~Remember to Breathe by Yellow Crayon

[ExtraFlameh Candlelit]

Well, my heart is better. Teehee, my throat or my lungs feel like being irratable because it's getting cold again. Texas is like that, just 3 days ago it was like in the 70s or so! I'm glad you love my replies! Silly silly biochem, it had all the wrong answers! The real answers are in the tomb pyramid that Willow and Tara are searching for! Don't tell your classmates!! Okay well, I've been doing lots of work to and I needest a shower and to finish my chem homework, atleast it's not biochem, eh? I've been working hard and long on this history day project...for science fair credit, heard of it? I did it on BUFFY! Isn't that just so awesome?! My dad's a lil meanie and hates it.... But that's okay...I'm not too attached to him because of his dislikes of BUFFY Well then, again too much with the information! Ah well, you started it!!! Okay well this is me : Needing to your update and my homework. So for now a And I wish you a nice weekend, so then maybe we can have a nice weekend update! Or else we may have to you! (jk on the last part...for now)



-Ellen

[sabina]

Hi




Tempest Duer
No need to wait anymore the update is here




ExtraFlameh Candlelit
I think it’s great you have been working on a project for science fair credit, specially since you did it on Buffy

Don’t worry about what your dad thinks of it, as long as you’re happy with your work that’s what matters


No need to

me…



The update is here




Ok, so as promised here is chapter twelve.



• Title:
The Artifact

• Author:
sabina

• Feedback:
Yes, please. I crave it.

• Distribution:
Anywhere. Just please ask me first.

• Spoilers:
No spoilers whatsoever. This is an AU fic.

• Rating:
It is going to get to NC-17.

• Pairing:
W/T

• Disclaimer:
The “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” series and its characters are the property of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. The “Tomb Raider” videogame is the property of Eidos Interactive and Core Design. This fic is not meant to infringe any copyrights.

• Summary:
Willow and Tara are two strong and independent tomb raiders who are both hired to find the same artifact. Trapped inside a temple they realize that not everything is what it seems and they have to work together and fight side by side for their lives as they try to find the way out.


• Note 1:
I want to thank my beta reader TKOLove, who has supported this idea and putted up with all my questions and doubts since the beginning without ever complaining.
Your work makes this fic a better one, so thank you TKOLove.

• Note 2:
I love Tomb Raider and this fic was something that had been in the back of my mind for long. Now I finally decided to write it. I hope you all enjoy reading it.

• Note 3:
Thoughts are in
italics





Previously




“I won’t hide from you again.So you sleep tight, my angel, and I’ll be here when you wake up.I’ll always be here.”
Tara leaned her head down and pressed her lips reverently and softly against red hair.
It was a promise.




Chapter twelve




Tara wasn’t sure how long she’d watched Willow sleep; seconds, minutes, and hours lost their meaning as she held the redhead close with their hearts beating as one.
Although Tara was enjoying the proximity, she was relieved when she felt Willow stir in her arms.

As Willow slowly came back to consciousness, the first thing she noticed was that her head was lying between Tara’s breasts.Initially it brought a smile to her face.


Tara’s breasts…Mmm…The best sight in the world. Maybe I could lean just a little and kiss that nipple right there…


Then the fog enveloping her brain lifted a little…and she panicked.

Wait! Hold it!Oh my god…I fell asleep lying on Tara, and I have my head between her perfect breasts, and I’ve probably drooled all over her while thinking about taking her nipple into my mouth!I have to get up. I have to get up now…before it’s too late!


Willow hastily lifted her head from where it had been resting, intending to apologize and tell Tara that nothing like that would ever happen again. But she never got the chance. Her sudden movement sent a sharp bolt of pain up her spine and directly into her brain.Her head felt like it was about to explode and she couldn’t stop a shriek of pain from escaping her mouth.
“Auuuhhh!”

Tara had been surprised and hurt by Willow’s rapid retreat.


She jumped up because she realized her head was between my breasts, lying just above my heart. She can’t stand to be this close to me. I already know that…so why do I keep pulling her into my arms? She’s made it clear that she’s not attracted to me. I have to stop taking advantage of every possible moment I find – every reason I create – to hold her tight. I won’t try to shut her out again emotionally, but I’ll at least try to keep my distance physically. Even if my body’s left aching and wanting.


But when she heard the redhead cry out in pain her heart almost stopped, and she couldn’t prevent herself from reaching out to offer comfort. She lifted her arms and pulled Willow softly but firmly back down. This time, Willow was lying on her side with her head nestled against the blonde’s neck and shoulder.

“Willow, you’ve been poisoned, remember?You passed out and your body’s probably still trying to process and expel the toxins. You can’t go around making sudden movements with your head like that.”As she admonished the dizzy redhead, Tara’s voice was as soft as an autumn breeze caressing falling leaves.

As soon as Willow felt her head pressed against Tara’s soft flesh, the pain retreated to the back of her mind. It was nothing more than a slight throbbing sensation.
Willow answered the blonde slowly and carefully. Too focused on keeping the pain away to censor the words that came out.

“I think emphatically…for me there will be no movements at all – sudden or otherwise – for the next few hours.I’m feeling perfectly happy right here where I am.”

Only when she heard the words leaving her mouth did Willow fully understand what she was saying.She blushed deeply.


Gosh…real smooth. Why don’t you just go ahead and tell her that you’re head over heels in love with her? That you want to hold her every time you look at her. That you want to kiss her and make love to her every single time you stare deeply into her eyes. That you can’t think of a better way to fall asleep than cradled in her arms.Since you’re not going to say any of those things to her, try not to spoil your friendship.Snap out of it and start backpedaling fast, before she has time to wonder what you meant.


So as not to jar her throbbing cranium, Willow began her verbal tap dance in a near whisper.

“I mean…my head doesn’t hurt as long as I’m still, and I just had to move to change my position…but I don’t wanna move again because well…that would just make my head hurt, so I guess I’m voting for the ‘Not-Moving-Around-Much’ plan…hence the thing about staying like this for hours.”

“Oh.” Tara couldn’t hold back the disappointed tone that mingled with her response.


Well, at least being near me didn’t disgust her, so I don’t have to worry about that. But she isn’t exactly trembling with joy either.To her, this closeness is just a friendly gesture of mine. Why am I complaining anyway? At least she’s not running away from me. It’s not like I ever truly believed she could love me.At least not with my mind, anyway. Of course, my heart…that’s a whole different story.


The blonde sighed before speaking.
“You should probably try to sleep for a bit longer. Hopefully you’ll feel a lot better when you wake up.”

“I can’t sleep. It’ll make us lose time, and we don’t know if we can afford to lose it.We’ve been in this room for a day and a half already.Oh God…maybe this is a temporized room and we have a time limit to find each mask or else the door won’t open and we’ll die here in the middle of the plants!Then our rotten bodies will serve as a fertilizer for those stupid yellow flowers!Wow.Ok, you know, I think it’s better if we don’t even go there.It --”

Although Tara found Willowbabble as adorable as ever, she could see that the woman was becoming more and more agitated as she spoke, so she decided to cut Willow off.She did so in a manner that left no room for discussion about whether they would stay and rest for a bit longer or immediately resume the search.

“Willow!” Tara said loudly.
The redhead stopped talking and cringed as the blonde’s voice resonated painfully inside her brain.

“See?You can’t even stand hearing loud sounds. No way are you in any shape to go running around facing all kinds of danger. We’re going to stay here for a while and you’re going to sleep, end of discussion.” Although the blonde’s voice had regained its usual tenderness, its authority was indisputable.


Take-Charge-Tara…Mmm. If it was anyone else telling me to stay put when I wanted to move, I’d probably run instead of walk just to prove to them that I’m the one in charge of my life. But it’s Tara, and I don’t feel like rebelling. Besides, her resolve face is just so damned sexy. I don’t think I can refuse anything she asks me with that voice and that face.It just melts me from the inside out. I wonder if there are other situations in which Take-Charge-Tara makes an appearance… Stop it right there, Brain of Mine. I know where you’re going with this, and you’re already intoxicated enough without starting to get lusty Tara-thoughts.


“I guess you’re right,” Willow said with a small voice, before moving slightly, settling her head on Tara’s shoulder, and snaking an arm around the blonde’s waist to pull Tara closer.
A smile formed on Tara’s lips as she heard Willow say she’d indeed rest.But as the blonde felt her body being pulled against the redhead’s, she gasped.


Oh man…why does my breath have to catch in my throat – and my heart start beating wildly in my chest – every single time she gets close to me? She’s not mine to hold. I can’t forget that.


Tara tried to calm herself down without disturbing Willow. A moment passed and she’d regained some composure, so she looked down to see if the redhead had noticed anything. What she saw made her face light up with a warm smile.
Willow was peacefully sleeping. A few auburn tresses had escaped the tight ponytail and fallen gracefully on her cheek. Her mouth was slightly opened in a childlike manner, with her tongue peaking through the middle of her lips. She looked endearingly young and vulnerable.

Tara fell in love with her all over again in that one moment, and she couldn’t help but pull Willow closer to her body.

As Willow felt the change of pressure, she shifted her position in her sleep. First, she buried her head in Tara’s neck; her hot breath teased the other girl’s skin and sent shivers down her body. Then Willow’s right hand migrated and her palm came to rest cupping the blonde’s left breast.Meanwhile, with her knee slightly bent, and her right leg nestled between Tara’s, Willow’s thigh settled mere inches away from the blonde’s center.

As Tara felt the other raider move, she was overcome with the sudden rush of sensations; her eyes nearly bulged out of her head and she had to bite back a moan of pleasure.She felt herself burning and melting, her center flooding from a sudden surge of wetness, and her clit starting to throb…begging for friction, pleading for release.


Oh God, Oh God, Oh God.Ok, calm down…I have to calm down.

Tara took a few deep breaths, trying to be as still as possible so Willow wouldn’t be disturbed. Tara was fearful that the redhead would choose that moment to come back to Awakeland – it would be just too mortifying.

A moment later, she’d managed to calm down just a little, and coherent thought was starting to come back to her.

Willow’s asleep, and she was just poisoned.I have to remember that if she were awake she wouldn’t be doing this to me. Goddess…if I could at least move just a little further away…


Tara tried to make small movements so she wouldn’t startle her companion.At first, she managed to make her plan work, putting some space between herself and Willow’s body, slowly, inch-by-inch, without earning any reaction from the woman.

But then Willow suddenly made a little disgruntled noise, scooted closer to Tara, and tightened her grip on the blonde. Her right hand closed on Tara’s left breast possessively, and Willow bent her right leg further until her thigh pressed forcefully against the blonde’s center.

It was too much stimulation for the blonde to bear quietly. She arched her back, pushed her breast further against the redhead’s hand, and before she could stop herself, a low moan slipped past her lips.
“Mmmm…”

The combination of Willow’s hand cupping her breast and the sudden pressure of the redhead’s thigh between her legs made Tara completely mad with desire. Her heart hammered in her chest and her breathing became frantic.

She could feel wetness trickle out of her and soak through her panties.Her clit twisted and throbbed mercilessly, wanting more pressure, asking to be rubbed, pulled, and pushed.Her already engorged nipples became hard as diamonds against the redhead’s palm, and her body temperature rose wildly.
Tara willed herself to be still, not to give in to the overwhelming need she felt to grind herself passionately against Willow and simply let pleasure take over her body.


Ok, ok…don’t panic, and oooh…for God’s sake don’t move! I’m already over-stimulated and Willow’s just pressing her body against me.If she were moving…mmm…I don’t think I’d be able to hold on. What can I do?


Just then, Willow started to mumble something against Tara’s neck. Her moist lips brushed slowly and sensually against Tara’s skin, adding to the sweet torment the blonde was forced to endure.
Tara shifted her head slightly, trying to escape the soft torture of Willow’s lips. As the drowsy woman moved in response to Tara’s movement, her mouth settled directly in front of the blonde’s ear. Her hot breath teased Tara and sent jolts of energy and pleasure straight to her center with each word.

“Pillars and spheres dancing together?” the redhead asked in surprise.
Curiously, in the middle of the haze of lust that clouded Tara’s brain, Willow’s sentences still clearly registered.


Ooohh…yes…pillars…mmmm…spheres.Wait…what?!


“But that’s just ridiculous,” Willow continued. “Because…hello…their dancing styles just don’t fit at all!Pillars can only move up and down…you know…like this...”

Willow began to demonstrate the pillars’ dancing movements. The hand that was still resting on the blonde’s breast suddenly moved. Its palm rubbed the hardened nipple up and down, up and down. At the same time, Willow’s right leg shifted and began to move, pressing up and then backing down, over and over again…producing the pressure that Tara’s little bundle of nerves begged for.

When Tara felt the added stimulation, she had to bite down hard on her lip – nearly to the point of drawing blood – to stop herself from screaming in bliss, but she couldn’t prevent a small groan from escaping her lips.“Mmmm.”Her emotions were so strained, she couldn’t tell if it was from the unbelievable pleasure she was feeling or from the frustration of not being able to stop what was happening.

Tara fought hard to stay on this side of reality.Pleasure ripped at every cell of her body, leaving her drained and aching for more…promising an earth-shattering release if she would simply let go.
“Willowww…mmmm…oohh…mmm.” Low moans were released from deep down inside the blonde every time Willow pressed up against her.

Tara’s brain was shutting down; thought replaced by feel, need, and desire.

I can’t come like this…mmmmm….ohhhh, please… she’s…Oh God mmm…asleep…
Tara begged silently in her head…fighting, even as she could feel herself sink down into a hot sea of oblivion.

Then she heard the redhead’s whisper in her ear as if resuming an interrupted conversation.
“…You see…these are the pillars! Now, spheres don’t only move up and down, they can also roll around…”

As Tara heard Willow’s speech, her tightly closed eyes shot wide open.
In her fevered state, she imagined Willow rubbing her body…rubbing the palm of her hand in circles over her nipple…and then the redhead’s thigh rubbing…pulling and pushing her clit in every direction. Simply thinking about it almost sent her over the edge.


No…no…no… There’s only....mmm…so much I can take…Goddessssss…I have to get out of here…now!!


Tara hastily disentangled herself from Willow.She tried to gently roll the woman off of her, but succeeded in sending her to the floor rather abruptly. Tara stood up quickly, flushed and shaking. Every nerve ending in her body complained about being so rudely interrupted.

Willow woke up startled.The first thing she felt was herself rolling roughly to lie on her stomach.The movement rubbed Tara’s wetness from the redhead’s knee and erased any physical trace of what had happened.

Willow closed and opened her eyes a few times, and tried to understand why it was that she was now lying with her face buried in the dirt when she’d fallen asleep safely nestled on Tara’s soft shoulder.
Then she heard Tara speaking hurriedly, and she turned her face to look at the blonde. She saw that Tara was shaking and that her face was a deep shade of red.

“I’m so… sor… sorry.”

Good grief! Why do I have to stutter precisely on those occasions when I so desperately need her to believe everything is normal and ok?
Tara breathed deeply and continued.

“I need to go to the bathroom. And I think I’ll use this break to take a bath as well. Don’t go anywhere. Wait for me here.” That was the last thing Tara said before breaking into a sprint towards the woods and disappearing from Willow’s sight.


She looked so stressed.Oh jeez…what if I did something inappropriate in my sleep…like grope her or something like that?! It could have happened; she makes me so hot all the time.I only have to think about her and my body temperature starts to rise, and my heart begins to pound in my chest.I want her so badly! So maybe I was having a hot…sweaty…lusty Tara-dream and I harassed the poor girl!Maybe I squeezed her breasts…mmm, yummy…Tara-breasts… Focus Willow!

Or worse!I could have ground myself into her body…my thigh sliding to the middle of hers, pressing up against her.Oh no…please no.Not that I wouldn’t love to do all of those things and so much more to her, but if I’m going to make a move on her, at least let me be awake to enjoy it, before she punches me in the nose! What am I thinking?! Missing the point!I probably freaked her out and now I’m never going to bask in the warm light of those blue eyes again. I’ll never hear that sweet voice again.I won’t feel those soft hands running through my hair ever again.And never again will I go to sleep cradled in her arms.


By this point, Willow was close to hyperventilation. Merely thinking of Tara walking out of her life made her feel like she was being stabbed through her heart with dull needles. After a period of uncontrolled panic, Willow calmed herself down and applied her logical mind to piecing together why Tara took off so quickly…and why she looked so upset doing it.


Ok, calm down and think! What was I dreaming about? I’m sure Tara was there…but, hey, that’s no surprise; she’s always on my mind.Doesn’t matter if I’m awake or asleep, as long as I’m breathing, I have Tara on my mind.Oh brother…let’s stop with the hopelessly romantic ramble and get back to the point.Hmm, Tara was there, but I don’t think I was dreaming about anything sexy.Oh hey!I remember now; I was dreaming about pillars and spheres dancing together, and I was showing Tara how they’d smash into each other on the dance floor.Sounds innocent enough. I really don’t think a ‘dancing stones’ dream would lead me to make a move on her.Well, that’s a comfort at least.
Oh well, maybe she just really had to go to the bathroom.Yeah, maybe she’d held on as long as she could, trying not to disturb me, and that’s why she looked so agitated.In that case I’ll just close my eyes a little longer and wait for Tara to come back.


Relief washed over the redhead and allowed her to relax. In a moment she was again asleep.

In the meantime, Tara was running toward the river as if the Devil himself were chasing her.


Since we’re lacking cold showers, I’ll use the dive-into-a-cold-river technique and pray to every deity in every heaven for it to work. I’ve never been so aroused in my whole life.And the woman was unconscious!Imagine if instead of simply mechanically stimulating me, she were actually concentrating on manipulating my body, pushing my buttons, kneading me to her liking…opening me with her lips and tongue…


Tara felt the throbbing sensation between her legs come back with a vengeance, and she tried to focus on running, running as fast as she could.

Oh come on!Am I trying to make myself explode from frustration? Where’s a cold river when I need one?


Just as she processed that thought, she cleared the woods and found the river right in front of her. She dived head first without even slowing down. She felt herself cooling down as the river enveloped her. The cold water soothed her aching, burning flesh, and she returned to the surface after a few moments.


Two days, two jumps into the river with the intent to cool off.All right…what’s up with me? I never wanted anyone like this before. She just has to look at me the right way and I feel myself melting…trembling…throbbing…and at the same time aching to touch her, to feel her, to lose myself completely inside her and never come back.I guess I can sum it all up with three words; I love her.


Tara sighed deeply before diving deep down again.
And she doesn’t want me.What is it about that small sentence that I can’t grasp? She…doesn’t…want…me. I’m tormenting myself with these thoughts and fantasies.I really need to cool down before I do something stupid.


The blonde swam for a while, hoping the water would wash away all signs of her previous aroused state, and simultaneously refresh her mind and spirit, so she’d be ready to face Willow without giving away her true feelings.

After a few minutes, Tara decided it was time to go back to Willow. As she got out of the water, an unsettling thought entered her mind and made her once again break into a full sprint.This time toward the redhead, not away from her.

Oh my God!She’s alone, semi-intoxicated, and vulnerable in the middle of a forest full of traps and deadly tricks.How the hell could I leave her there by herself?! I have to get back to her. Now!Willow…


Tara ran like the wind, while all kinds of dark thoughts entered her mind. As she reached their temporary camp, relief washed over her.Willow slept peacefully in the same spot where Tara had left her. The blonde’s lips curved softly in an adoring smile while she was gazing at the sleeping raider. Willow lay on her side with her legs and arms bent, her head resting on her right arm.

Tara stood there, motionless, feeling content to simply gaze at Willow until she saw the redhead start to stir. Her arm moved to brush away the few auburn tresses that had broken loose from her ponytail and fallen across her face, and she rubbed her eyes lightly, yawning all the while.

It took her several moments to notice the woman who was simply standing there, looking at her. When she did, she quickly sat straight up and her mouth curved in a sheepish smile.
“How long have you been there?” Willow asked, feeling a little self-conscious.


Thank God this tight ponytail prevents bed hair.At least that’s one thing I don’t have to worry about.Oh, but what if I was mumbling and drooling.Worse…what if I was whispering and moaning her name? Hmm…nah…if I was having that kind of dream I’d be burning with fever and I’m feeling cool, err, at least I was before I started to think of possible scenarios that would have me moaning her beautiful name.
Willow was startled and embarrassed when her thoughts were interrupted by her friend’s answer.

“Hmm?! Ah…n-not long.”Both women blushed identical shades of red but they were too busy trying to hide it from each other to note their mutual flustered state.


Oh great.I stutter at all the right times.I have no idea how long I was standing there looking at you, Willow.Your beauty mesmerized me.But I can’t exactly tell you that, now can I? And now I’m blushing.Just gets better and better.Mother of God…


“So how’s your head doing?” Tara asked, hopeful for a change of topic, but also sincere in her concern for Willow’s well being.
Willow moved her head in all directions waiting for the sharp pain to send her reeling as it had before. She was surprised when she felt nothing, and she smiled brightly.
“Hey…it doesn’t hurt! Ok, there’s a little left-over throbbing, but I’m so much better!”


Thank the gods!But did she have to say “throbbing?!”


Tara’s face lit up before taking on a serious look again. She was relieved Willow was feeling better, but now it was time for them to get back to business.
“Then I guess we should try to search for the last mask.”

“Hmm, you know? I think we could sit down for a while. Maybe eat lunch and think for a few minutes; it should lessen our chances of heading into another pitfall.There’s usually some kind of logic to these traps and, well, it’d really help if we could narrow down our search options. We’ve already looked everywhere around here and found no trace of the last mask.”

Tara’s brow furrowed a little while she tried to decide if taking a few minutes to think things over would be a waste of more time or actually a way to save it.In the end, Willow’s common sense couldn’t be denied.
“Ok. I think that’s a good idea.”
They both sat down quietly, and each woman took an unavoidable protein ball out of her bag. They ate slowly.

“So what do we know about these masks?”
“Well, they’re shaped like animal heads, they’re golden…and, oh…I know…maybe the last one is buried.As if it’s in a gold mine, you know?” The redhead said excitedly, before remembering something and resuming in a sad voice.

“Uhm, now that I think about it, it isn’t such a great thing after all.Digging for a lost mask in the middle of a huge forest; that’s got to be about as easy as…very difficult pie.”

Tara smiled despite of their situation.Willow’s babbling was just too endearing.
“Don’t worry. The mask I found was already kind of buried.I don’t think we’ll have another one concealed in the underground,” the blonde said reassuringly. She was rewarded for her effort when she saw Willow’s eyes light up again.

The women fell silent, until Tara’s voice cut through the quiet space.
“We found one mask in the river, one lying near the trail, one in a hole, and the other on a booby-trapped platform, lying in the middle of the grass. So, where’s the last one?” mumbled Tara.
As she looked down, she missed the excited spark that shone in the green eyes in front of her.

“Hey, I think I have an idea of where the last mask is!”Willow was practically bouncing with enthusiasm.
Tara looked up with a question in her eyes, signaling for the redhead to continue.
“We found a lion mask lying near the path, a fish mask swimming in the river, so, ok, not exactly swimming, but, well, it was in the river, and it was a fish, so I guess I can say swimming. Although, it is kind of a stretch to –“

“Willow...” Tara called out before the redhead completely lost focus on her original point.
“Oh, sorry.I guess I got a little carried away with the fish thing. Now, ok…let’s see…a fish mask in the river, a rabbit mask in a hole, and a snake mask lying in the middle of overgrown grass.Pretty clear pattern, wouldn’t you say?
Willow stopped talking and waited to see if Tara was on the same page.

“Of course!Every mask was found in a place where the animals they represent would typically be found; the ground, the river, the rabbit hole, the grass,” the blonde said, getting more excited by the second.
“Exactly! And following that line of thought, where do you think we’ll find a monkey-shaped mask?”
“Oh, that’s an easy one…in a tree,” the older raider said smiling.

“I think so, too.”Willow frowned slightly.“Ok, great…so now all we have to do is look at every single tree in this goddamn forest.Well, I guess it’s better than digging, anyway,” Willow said, trying to sound cheerful.

“You know, I don’t think the mask will be that hard to find.It’s impossible to reach the tops of most of these trees…so I’ll only have to look through the ones that can be climbed. Also, I’m betting we’ll most likely be able to spot the mask from the ground. The challenge probably lies in knowing where to look.”

“That makes sense.” Willow nodded, as her mood lifted again.
“Ok, so if you’re finished with lunch, what’s say we go tree hunting?”
Willow nodded enthusiastically while she put away her half-eaten protein ball. When she was ready to move on, she asserted happily…“Let’s go find our elusive monkey!”

TBC.

*******************

That's all for today


I hope you liked it.






"I know I was born and I know that I'll die.
The in between is mine.
I am mine!" - Pearl Jam

[Grimlock72]

Pillars and spheres.... It's soooo like Willow to dream about those things .



I couldn't help but question this;

Quote:

---

I can’t come like this…mmmmm….ohhhh, please… she’s…Oh God mmm…asleep…

---

... why the heck not ? : --> . Works better and is more fun than a cold river, for sure :-)



Tara is right in that if Willow gets her this hot&bothered without really trying, it should be fun to watch the result if the actions are actually intentional .



Even if I can ever understand Tara's assuming Willow doesn't want her, why does she have to degrade herself so much in her mind ? Makes me want to yell to her to stop it already and at least try to have a fun life. Don't assume people think the worst of you. That will be all for today's lesson in life .



Willow is a bit late with her logic. According to that she should have approached the snake more carefully, after all those things can bite. This one did. Should be fun climbing trees.... who's to say the mask has to be visible from the ground up anyway ?



Come to think of it, why does every tombraider assume the traps are meant to be survivable challenges in the first place ? I can assure you the traps in the pyramids surely were NOT meant to be survivable by thiefs :-)



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

[ExtraFlameh Candlelit]

Can we say frustration?! They should fall asleep like that more often, or perhaps both of them fall asleep and start grinding and grabbing and getting lost in desire. Then they can wake up and not realize anything and continue! lol, okay so maybe that wouldn't work... I think it's time for a cold !!! I might not have to you for updating in a timely fashion, but maybe for the sexual frustration! Okay then, I think it's time for breakfast, my parents are being weird and they keep asking me if I'm okay. Teehee, I've been in here reading fics all morning!! Starts off my day nicely, especially with 'SABINA UPDATE' Yes well, time for the munchies. I look forward to, most likely, another frustrating, teasing, yet wonderful update!



-Ellen