Title: Twisted part 8
Author: Magrat 70
Ratings: R
Spoilers: as before
Twisted part 8
“C’mon night, night everyone, haven’t you all got homes to go to?” Shouted Lorne going through his nightly routine of throwing out the stragglers and hard-core drinkers.
Lorne approached Willow and the gang who were sitting quietly in a corner. “I’m afraid that goes for you people too.”
“I’m not leaving,” stated Willow. “I’m not leaving her.”
“You have to give her some space. She’ll be safe here,” said Lorne.
“I can’t…”
“You have too. Go back to the hotel get some sleep, a shower and come back in the morning with breakfast and maybe we will be able to find out what Wolfram and Hart have done to her,” said Lorne.
“He’s making a lot of sense,” said Buffy.
“I don’t care, I don’t want to leave her,” said Willow sticking her chin out in a determined fashion.
“I’ll make a deal with you. I’m going to check to see if she is awake, if she is, I’ll ask her what she wants. If she is asleep I want you to go back to the hotel and come back here in the morning.”
Willow looked away from the demon not meeting his eyes.
Lorne went to the apartment and could see Tara fast asleep on his couch covered by her coat. He quietly moved back out. “She’s asleep.”
“Can’t I just stay out here? I won’t be a problem,” said Willow pleading with the demon.
“Sweetie, you’ll be more use to her with a decent nights sleep,” said Lorne.
“I don’t think I can sleep,” said Willow.
“At least try,” said the host. “She is going to need you fit and in one piece. Trust me on that.”
With a great deal of reluctance and with more than a small piece of prodding, Willow headed back to the hotel.
“Spike you have to leave too,” said Lorne,
“I’ve got nowhere to go…and I sort of want to keep an eye in Tara. I feel bad for her,” said Spike.
“Spike,” said Lorne.
“Okay, I’ve got nowhere else to go, so can’t I just bunk down here?” the vampire whined pathetically.
Lorne decided he was too tired to argue with the vampire. “Tonight only, but you are sleeping in the bar buster.”
The vampire shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve slept in worse.”
****************
Lorne went into his bedroom and grabbed a spare blanket from the cabinet. He covered Tara up and gently kissed her on the forehead. “Oh sweetie, I hope we clear this up for all our sakes.”
Tara listened until she was sure the demon had shut the door and gone to bed. She then quietly slipped out the apartment door.
“Where do you think you’re going Blondie?” Asked Spike appearing from the shadows.
“Spike, do you always lurk?” Asked an exasperated Tara.
“It’s what I do and you still haven’t answered my question,” said Spike.
“Spike, give me my gun back,” said Tara.
“No way, the slayer would have my bollocks if you start taking pot shots at Red,” said Spike.
“I’m not going after Willow. I’m after Lilah, so give me back my gun,” demanded Tara taking a stake from her coat.
“On one condition…”
“You are not in a position to bargain,” said Tara determinedly.
“I could take that stake off you before you could move,” said Spike. “So hear me out. You may think you are the big bad now, but there are some real bad monsters out there and do you even know where you’re going?”
“It’s not your concern,” said Tara.
“Sorry, Blondie you’ve just made it my concern. I’m not letting you go without me,” declared Spike.
“Don’t try and stop me,” said Tara. “Or I swear I…”
Spike vamped out and moved quicker than Tara could see removing the stake from her hand. “No more threats. I’m coming with you. Besides you need me to for transport.”
Tara was shaking with a mixture of anger and fear, eyeing the vampire with grave suspicion.
Spike watched her wondering how to get her trust. He closed his eyes for a second and handed her the stake and the gun. “Just for protection mind.”
Tara took the weapons and stored them back in her jacket still watching the vampire’s every move.
“Haven’t you got somewhere you want to be?” Asked Spike pulling the blonde out of her daze.
“That’s right, let’s go,” said Tara.
Gavin stood in the middle of the hotel lobby staring moodily around him. The squad had searched the hotel but there was no sign of anyone or anything.
“Sir, what do you want us to do?” Asked one of the black clad squad.
“We wait, they have to come back soon,” said Gavin.
They all looked in surprise as Anya and Dawn appeared in the lobby.
“Oh, shit,” said Anya as they disappeared as fast as they had appeared.
“What the hell was that?” Asked Gavin.
**************************
Anya and Dawn reappeared in the club. “We’ll be safe here,” said Anya. “But we have to contact Buffy.”
She went straight to the apartment door. “Lorne where are you?” She shouted.
Lorne stumbled sleepily from his bedroom. “What the hell is going on?”
“Where’s your phone?” Beseeched Anya. “It’s urgent.”
Lorne pointed into the bedroom without thinking.
“Please, Buffy have your cell phone switched on,” said Anya as she punched the numbers into the phone. “Buffy, thank god, you can’t go to the hotel. Listen to me its Anya. Just listen,” shouted the demon her patience starting to run thin. “There are bunch of guys with guns and god knows what else waiting for you at the hotel. I’m at Lorne’s club. Yeah, I’ll see you soon.”
Anya came into the living room. “I stopped them before they got to the hotel.”
“Where’s Tara?” Asked the host looking around his apartment wildly.
“That’s what we are here for,” said Anya slowly like she was talking to a child. “I’ve come to help find her.”
“No you misunderstand, she was here, asleep on the couch,” said Lorne.
“You are joking with me,” said Anya.
“You found her,” said Dawn a huge smile breaking across her face.
Lorne looked at Dawn not quite sure what he should tell her. “Not me, Spike. Wait a second, where’s Spike?”
“Spike?” Asked Anya.
“You know, vampire, bad bleach job, English,” said the host.
“I know who he is, but he isn’t here,” said Anya.
“Oh god,” said Lorne groaning loudly and putting his head in his hands. “Willow is going to kill me. Tara must have left with Spike.”
“Tara left with Spike; you’ve lost me,” said Anya looking totally confused.
“Tara has no memory of her other life,” explained Lorne. “Wolfram and Hart seemed to have made an attempt at planting false memories in her head. She does not know who are her friends or her enemies.”
Lorne ran into the bar as he heard the door of the club sound like it was about to be kicked in. “Who is it?”
“Who do you think?” hollered Angel.
Lorne cautiously answered the door, worried that he was going to end up with Wolfram and Hart looking for Tara in his club.
“What is going on?” Asked Buffy. “Why is Anya here?” She then looked behind the demon. “Is that my sister? What the hell is Dawn doing here?”
“Those all could be seen as awkward questions,” said Lorne.
A pale Willow was huddled at the back of the group, her eyes searching the bar. “Where’s Tara?”
“And the awkwardness keeps on coming,” said Lorne with a sigh.
“Lorne,” said Angel sharply.
“Look sit down and I’ll explain my part and Anyanka…”
“I prefer Anya now.”
“And Anya will explain hers,” said Lorne without missing a beat.
************************
“Where do you want to go?” Asked Spike as Tara settled on the back of his motorcycle.
“Wolfram and Hart’s offices,” said Tara.
“Are you crazy?” Asked Spike. “You’ve just got away from them.”
“They’ll be looking for me,” explained Tara. “They won’t expect me to go to them.”
“Maybe not, but are you sure you know what you are doing?” Asked Spike.
“Oh yes, I want answers,” said Tara her jaw tightening.
“You’re the boss,” shrugged Spike gunning the machine into life.
********************
“What do you mean Anya woke you up and Tara was gone?” Shouted Willow in near hysterics. “You said, just give her some space and then you lose her.”
“I’m sorry,” said Lorne trying to soothe the upset witch. “I thought she was asleep. I didn’t think she would leave with Spike.”
“Spike, she left with Spike,” cried out Willow in disbelief. “We have to go now. We have to find her.”
“How?” Asked Anya. “We don’t know where she is.”
“I have to find her,” said Willow again softly, almost to herself.
**************************
“So we’re here. What’s the plan?” Asked Spike.
“We go around to the parking lot entrance. You stay out of sight and I find Lilah’s car,” said Tara.
“No,” said Spike grabbing her arm. “That’s a bad plan. They’ll have security on the lot. I’m staying with you. Plus, it’s 3 in the morning. What makes you think Lilah will be here?”
Tara put her hands on her hips and shook her head at Spike. “You can’t come in, Gavin told me they have security that goes off the second a vampire enters the building and I know Lilah will be here.”
“And you know this how?” Asked Spike
“I just do,” said Tara pulling away from him. “Now be quiet while I concentrate and one other thing I will be coming out fast so have the bike revved up.”
Spike shrugged and got back on his motorcycle, hoping that the witch wouldn’t find a way in.
Tara stood back slightly from the steal barrier. She concentrated, imagining a complicated fuse box and surging the power towards an overload. She felt the air fizz with power and she staggered slightly as she completed the spell.
“Tara,” shouted Spike ready to jump from his bike.
“It’s okay,” hissed Tara. She stood before the barrier and lifted her hand up. The barrier slammed upwards. She ran in, motioning with her hand behind her, slamming the barrier shut.
************************
The security hub in the Wolfram and Hart building was in chaos as they were plunged into darkness.
“What the hell is going on?” Asked the head of security.
“I don’t know,” said a nervous guard.
The head of security was just about to order a search of the building when the emergency generator kicked in. He looked at the computer readout, which said that there had been a power surge, which had blown a number of fuses. He sighed with relief and reached for the phone to contact the duty electrician.
*************************************
Lilah got into her car. She was tired and angry. Linwood had called an emergency meeting after Gavin’s fuck up and had read them all the riot act. He had made it quite clear that if Tara were not found, the senior partners would be looking for scalps, literally. She closed her car door car and then she felt a prickly sensation at the back of her neck. “Show yourself,” said Lilah without turning. “I’m not in the mood for games, so tell me what you want and get lost.”
“That’s no way to greet your little sister,” said Tara coolly from the back seat.
Lilah felt a wave of relief wash over her and even as that emotion was happening her predatory mind was working on how she could turn this to her advantage over Gavin. “Tara, thank god, we have everyone out searching for you. I was so worried.”
“Why?” Asked Tara her voice slightly higher than usual as she wrestled for emotional control.
“We were worried you could have been killed. I mean after that vampire took you…”
“Is that what Gavin said? Funny, I thought the vampire was saving me from the guy who was trying to force himself on me,” said Tara with a shrug.
“I’ll have him fired,” said Lilah through gritted teeth.
“Big sister to the rescue,” said Tara wryly.
“What’s wrong with you?” Asked Lilah surprised at Tara’s attitude.
“I know,” whispered Tara in Lilah’s ear.
“Know what?” Asked Lilah.
“That you’re not my sister,” said Tara.
Lilah tried to bluster. “I don’t know what you’re talking about…what did that vampire say…or was it Gavin? Did he…” She stopped talking as she felt the cold steal of a gun barrel pressed against her temple.
“Don’t screw with me Lilah,” said Tara feeling the anger and frustration of the last few hours well up within her. “I want the truth.”
“You don’t want it,” said Lilah.
“Let me tell you some of what I know already. I was murdered. I was dead and your firm brought me back to life. I want to know why,” said Tara.
Lilah’s mind raced wondering what she could tell Tara that the blonde would find palatable.
Tara could feel the hesitation. “And don’t lie. Remember I will always know,” said Tara drawing the last part out.
“That’s part of it. We…they want your powers,” said Lilah.
“There are other witches, that doesn’t explain why you had me brought back to life,” said Tara.
We need someone who is sweet and innocent looking, who people could confide in. Most of the magick users on our pay would have people running for the hills. We thought we could get you to talk to witnesses find out what was really…”
“So that is all I am,” snapped Tara. “Just another way for Wolfram and Hart to win trials.” She stopped having just caught something, some emotion in the back of Lilah’s mind; it was fleeting, just a flash.
“You’re not telling me everything,” said Tara pressing the gun harder against Lilah’s head and gripping her neck with her other arm.
“Tara,” gasped Lilah. “Please, your hurting me.”
“Tell me,” said Tara coldly, but taking some of the pressure off the lawyer’s neck.
“It’s all about power, they want you for power. I could help you, I could get you anything you want from the firm,” pleaded Lilah pitching for her life.
“Why should I trust you?” Asked Tara.
“Because together we could get rid of Gavin, maybe even challenge Linwood. The senior partners want you and with me at your side there is nothing we couldn’t achieve,” said Lilah seductively.
“We?” Asked Tara. “What game are you playing now Lilah?”
“No games,” said the lawyer. “You are an attractive woman…”
“You are not attracted to me,” said Tara.
“No?” Asked Lilah. “I thought you could feel what people are feeling. Maybe your not as good as everybody thinks you are.”
Tara closed her eyes for a second and brought her mouth to other woman’s ear. “You’re not attracted to me, you’re attracted to power.”
Lilah turned her head to the side to look into Tara’s eyes. “Oh, power is the greatest aphrodisiac of all, you shouldn’t knock it ‘til you try it.”
The air between the two is charged for a second. Tara’s mouth goes back to Lilah’s ear whispering softly. “For me to trust you I want some information.”
“O f course, anything you want,” said Lilah convinced she had the young witch where she wanted her.
“Angel, the slayer and all those other people; why was I shown their pictures?” Asked Tara.
“You were close to them, we were told that you had to hate them so when the time came you could have been a cat amongst the pigeons. You could have gotten close enough to kill them,” said Lilah.
“Kill them,” repeated Tara softly.
“But that probably won’t be necessary now,” said Lilah.
“Willow never tried to kill me,” stated Tara.
“No, but she killed for you. She is dangerous Tara,” said Lilah.
“Aren’t I?” said Tara caressing the gun barrel down Lilah’s neck watching the lawyer jump and shiver.
“Yes,” said Lilah. “But I like danger.”
“Danger and power,” purred Tara in Lilah’s ear.
The lawyer nodded. “Do you want to go up to the office, or do you want come back to my apartment first.”
Tara laughed harshly and pressed the gun savagely against Lilah’s head. “If you think I would sleep with a power hungry whore like you, you are crazier than I thought you were and thanks for the information. I’m sure the slayer will be interested in knowing that your firm were planning an assassination.” With this the blonde opened the car door and ran for the exit.
“You bitch,” screamed Lilah ineffectually.
******************************
“Come on Spike,” said Tara urgently on exiting the parking lot. She jumped straight on the bike and the vampire revved up the engine without question and they were gone.
***************
“She was in your car and you did nothing,” Linwood shouted at Lilah.
“It was impossible. She did have a gun pressed against my head and she knows everything,” said Lilah.
“The senior partners are not going to be pleased,” said Linwood.
“What are we going to do about her?” Asked Lilah.
“Do?” Shouted Linwood. “Do, there is nothing we can do for the moment.”
“So we are not going to do anything,” said Lilah. “Just leave a loose canon around the way we have with Angel? Sometimes I think this firm has lost its balls.”
“Be careful about what you say Lilah. There will be an investigation…”
“It wasn’t me who let her go in the first place. None of this would have happened if Gavin had been more careful,” said Lilah. “We still should do something to stop her.”
“You want to put her back in the grave?” Asked Linwood.
“No, I don’t want her crazy girlfriend skinning me alive. No, I was thinking of making her suffer a little.”
“And how do you intend to do that?” Asked Linwood.
“Well, I checked her file and she didn’t have the happiest of life. I think we should remove the block on her memories,” said Lilah.
“Is that all,” said Linwood. “I don’t see a problem with that. The damage has already been done; it’s only costing us money. See to it will you?”
Lilah nodded and left the room with an evil grin on her face.
***********************
“Can’t you go to the powers?” Asked Willow of Cordelia.
“If I could I would but all I get are these visions and they get in touch with me when they want me,” said Cordelia.
“I can’t stand this,” said Willow.
They all looked up as the door was again being pounded.
“Get in my apartment,” said Lorne. He went to the door. “Who is it?”
“Its me,” said Spike. “Open the door before the sun comes up and I get fried,”
Lorne opened the door and ignored the vampire. He ran forward and hugged Tara. “Where the hell did you go? We were so worried about you.”
Tara smiled. “See that’s the difference, genuine affection and a little bit of anger. I’m sorry.”
“So you should be Peaches,” said Lorne as they walked down the stairs into the main part of the bar.
His apartment door opened and Buffy looked out.
“You can come out,” said Lorne. “Its just Spike and Tara.”
“Tara,” said Willow who had already come though the door.
“W-willow, hi,” said Tara feeling suddenly shy and ducking her head to one side.
Anya came running out and embraced Tara in a huge hug. “Tara, your alive!”
Tara looked a little surprised at the demon who was hugging her with all her might and she could feel so many emotions being given off by the group of people that once more she felt overwhelmed. She looked up and noticed a teenage girl who was standing, staring at her and crying. Her heart went out to the youngster who was so obviously hurting badly. She shook off Anya and went to the girl. “Hey you, I’m sorry I don’t remember you, but I hate to see you in so much pain. Is there anything I can do?”
Dawn threw herself into Tara’s arms. “Tara, I missed you so much.”
Tara pulled back a second and pushed a lock of hair from the teenager’s eyes. Everybody then watched in horror as Tara sank to the floor clutching her head.
TBC
These five words in my head scream "are we having fun yet?"
Chad Kroeger
Edited by: Magrat70 at: 1/23/03 11:53:27 pm
looking forward to Gavin trying to trick Tara, don't think he can do it. 
by Grimaldi » Mon Sep 02, 2002 3:23 pm 
Gavin is such slime, hope he gets his. glad Tara trusted Spike and went with him. can't wait to see what happens now that Willow and Tara have seen each other 
OMG, awesome update!! 
But Tara gave him a nice lil surprise! And Spike was really great too! I'm really not much of a Spike fan but all woo hoo he got Tara away from them idiots! Willow finally laying eyes on Tara at the end was a very exciting moment! I'm really lookin 4ward to the next update!! 
Like getting shot and being brought back wasn't horrible enough, sheeesh.
. On re-reading the other chapters I have to agree with Lilah's initial reaction; this Project Nikita didn't have much chance to begin with.
I've never seen _Angel_ but if this Gavin is accurate he must an evil bastard on TV