The Cathedral And The Bazaar

[bluewillowwitch]

justin ,

I love this fic! Okay pulling away from is sooo not a good thing. I'm glad :wilow is get supicious of Samuel. Dwn was so happy that said she could do research. Poor Faith, all beat up. Xander needs to ligten up on Faith a bit. I can't wait to more of this. Update soon, please?







bluewillowwitch

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"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

[justin]

BlueWillowWitch: ,

Quote:

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Okay pulling away from is sooo not a good thing

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You're it's definitely not of the good. Don't worry they'll start coming to their senses soon enough. Then the real fun begins

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Dwn was so happy that said she could do research.

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Yeah, Dawn just wants to be able to contribute more. Now that her overprotective older sister isn't around any more she'll get the chance.

Quote:

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Xander needs to ligten up on Faith a bit.

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Very true. The problem is Xander's something of an expert at holding a grudge.



Thanks for reading

Anya in a wimple...I'd pay full admission for that. Gods Served And Abandoned - by Antigone Unbound

[justin]

The Cathedral And The Bazaar

- Author: Justin

- Email address: justin0@HotPOP.com

- Summary: This is an alternate version of S6 in which the scoobies don't resurrect Buffy and instead have Faith released from prison.

- Feedback: Any comments or constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated.

- Distribution: Anyone can take it, just let me know.

- Spoilers: Up to and including 'The Gift'

- Rating: R

- Pairing: W/T, X/A

- Disclaimer: Willow And Tara and most of the other characters in this story belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. Three cheers for creating two such wonderful characters. Three jeers for the way you treated them.

- Note: Many thanks to Arwen276 for beta-ing this part

- Note2: Flashbacks/dreams are in italics



Chapter 10



Willow dumped her bag as she got through the door of her home, then went through into the living room. Coming over to greet her Tara kissed Willow then asked, "How did the test go?"



Willow shrugged, "It went pretty well I guess, but I've got something more important to talk about."



"More important than a test? Willow are you feeling okay?" Tara asked, pretending to seem worried.



Willow smiled, "While I was doing the test I thought of a way to find the people who are behind the zombies. We can trace the statue they're using."



"We?" Tara asked. She had the horrible feeling that Willow was going to suggest doing a spell together, something that she had avoided since her powers had started acting up.



"Yes. The spell needs two people."



"But Willow you know that my magic has been off lately." Tara said, a mixture of sadness and worry in her voice.



Willow walked up to Tara and taking her hand, said, "I trust you."



"But..."



Moving her hand to Tara's chin and looking in her eyes she repeated, "I trust you."



***



Even as Willow set everything up for the spell Tara was still nervous. What if she lost control of her powers? What if she hurt Willow? Tara was about to say she'd changed her mind about the spell when, "All ready," Willow said.



Looking at the ingredients which had been spread out on the floor Tara said, "This looks like the spell to summon Thespia."



"It is similar, though the wording is different." Willow explained.



"Do you really think that I can do this?" Tara asked again, seeking reassurance.



"No, I know that you can." Tara was going to argue but something told her she should trust Willow. Closing her eyes Tara took Willow's hands and they began chanting.



Tara felt the energy of the spell building inside her. For a moment she thought that she was going to lose control, but reminding herself of the faith Willow was placing in her Tara was able to maintain the balance. Opening her eyes she saw that the dust was forming just outside the square. It hung there for a few seconds then collapsed.



"It's not very precise." Tara said not sure how they would use this to find the statue.



Shooting up Willow went over to her bag. She came back with a map of Sunnydale. There was a square drawn on it, matching the square of the spell. Willow pointed just outside it, "This is where the dust formed."



Tara looked at the spot indicated and said "Mcalister farm. That doesn't sound right."



"Well I guess all we can do is go and check. We'd better tell the others."



***



"And you're sure that this is where the spell indicated?" Giles asked, frowning at the map that Willow had shown him.



"I'm positive." Willow answered.



"Why would a farmer be summoning demons?"



"Well I did a bit of checking on the net and I saw that until recently that farm was in a lot of financial trouble. The banks were on the verge of foreclosing. Then he suddenly started making a lot of money." Willow waited a moment. Seeing that no one was getting what she was saying she went on, "I think he was raising the zombies as a form of cheap labour."



"That's bad." Anya shook her head, a worried expression on her face.



"You don't say." Willow said.



"I mean that most demons that grant the power to raise zombies are mostly interested in death and destruction. They're not normally interested in agriculture. Whoever this guy is tapping is going to be really pissed." Anya explained, in a slightly condescending tone.



"Right then." Giles said, "I suggest that we go and check this out."



***



Finding a vantage point that overlooked the farm they gazed at a field full of workers. "Now that's a lot of zombies." Xander said.



"There looks like a couple of hundred." Faith added, "I don't want to have to fight all of those."



"Hopefully you shouldn't have to." Giles told her, "As long as we can find the idol he used to raise the zombies then it should be just a matter of breaking it."



"And how are we going to do that?" Xander asked,"Did you see the sign about trespassers being shot?"



"Then we'll just have to use a bit of stealth." Claudia was observing the field with binoculars. "I can see five people there, they're all armed with shotguns. Presumably in case their boss loses control of the workers."



"So how are we going to get in?" Faith asked.



"We need a distraction." Claudia lowered the binoculars and turned to the others.



A slow smile formed on Xander's face as he said, "I think I have an idea."



***



"Are you sure that this is such a good idea?" Giles asked as they pulled in behind the storage silo. He and Xander had made a trip to Xander's building site and borrowed some explosives, before heading back to the farm.



"No."



Giles gave a reluctant sigh and said, "Oh well that's okay then."



"Just keep an eye out." Xander grabbed a box and ran into the silo. Giles stood by the car looking round nervously . After a couple of minutes Xander came running out. "Come on, let's get going. " They got in the car and drove off. A short while later the silo exploded.



***



"I guess that that's our diversion." Claudia said, looking over towards the explosion, "Hardly what I'd call subtle." She added in a critical tone.



"That's my Xander." Anya said, a happy smile on her face.



"Everyone's going to investigate." Willow pointed out, "This is our chance."



"We've got a large area to cover, so I suggest that we split up." Claudia said.



"Are you mad?" Anya asked, "You want us to go around on our own with hundreds of zombies about."



"Well then perhaps we should pair up. Tara and I can..."



"Nuh huh." Willow interrupted, "Tara and I are going together."



"That's what I said, Willow and Tara will go together while I'll go with Anya."



"What about me?" Faith asked, sounding bored by the discussion.



"I'm sure that you'll be okay on your own." Claudia said, "Just try not to fight too many of them at once." Once everyone had agreed to this they set off.



***



Claudia and Anya managed to get into the main house and began looking around. "Well this place seems to be pretty quiet." Claudia said, "I guess everyone is still dealing with that explosion."



"Yeah when Xander makes a diversion he..." Anya stopped as they turned a corner and found a group of zombies.



"Maybe another way." Claudia whispered quickly. They turned and ran back down the passage but the way was blocked by another group of zombies.



"This way." Anya pulled Claudia down a side passageway, only to find a third group.



"Zombies to the left of them, zombies to the right of them, zombies down the middle." Claudia said in a defeated tone, "Bravely the two marched into the valley of death."



"That's nice but how does it help us?" Anya cut in. Before Claudia could answer a figure came flying through the window.



Faith brushed the glass off her, then asked, "Need a hand?" Without waiting for an answer she ran to attack the third group of zombies.



***



Willow and Tara entered through a different entrance and soon found themselves in a candlelit room. One end of the room was blocked off by iron bars. Behind them there was an altar which had the statue on it. "So here's the statue." Willow said. "I guess that we just need to break it." She looked about, trying to figure how to get past the bars. There was a gate but it was securely padlocked.



"I can do that." Tara said, moving forward.



Taking Tara's hand Willow corrected her, "We can do that."



Tara nodded and they concentrated on raising it up to the ceiling. They stopped as they heard a shotgun being loaded.



"Move away from the statue." As they did so, a fat balding man stepped into view. "Right now put the statue down, real slow like."



Willow and Tara shared a look, then they transferred the telekinetic power from the statue, using it to pull the shotgun from the man's hand. Released from their hold the statue fell to the floor and shattered.



"No! What have you done?" The man ran towards the bars, panic in his voice.



A black gas began to come from the remains of the statue. It formed into a large black creature. "For millenia my armies have walked the earth. Summoned to spread destruction to all in their path. Now you summon my power to make manual labourers? You will suffer for your blasphemy." The figure began to disperse, then formed around the man.



"Oh god, do something, help me." The man screamed with pain. He began struggling against the shape that was forming round him.



"What should we do?" Willow asked, wracking her brain for some way to help him.



"I don't..."



"Please." Then with a loud shriek both the cloud and the man vanished.



"That was horrible." Tara said, looking ill.



"Yeah." Willow agreed, "Anya was right."



"Tara."



Tara turned to Willow, "What?"



Willow tilted her head, looking confused.



"I thought that you'd said something."



"Nope, nothing."



"Tara."



"Did you hear that?" Tara spun round, trying to find the source of the voice.



Willow shook her head, "We'd better find the others." Ignoring her Tara turned and walked down a flight of stairs. She came to a small stone lined room.



"Tara." The voice was definitely coming from behind one of the walls. Raising her hand Tara pointed at one of the walls. Tara could feel energy flowing up from the ground into her, then through her into the wall. She pulled on the energy that was flowing between her and the wall. The wall groaned, then gave way, revealing a small room.



"Tara, what are you doing?" Willow asked, coming down the stairs.



Tara came out of the room holding a small chest. "This was calling to me." Tara said uncertainly knowing how strange the idea of a chest calling to her sounded. They put the chest on a table and broke the lock. There was a book inside. Opening it Tara read, "Eliza Maclay. I guess this is why it was calling me." Tara put her hand to the page, shocked to find a remnant from one of her ancestors in this place.



***



Faith was holding a zombie by the neck and was pounding it's head against the wall. "Why," thud, "won't," thud, "you," thud, "die?" Suddenly the zombie went limp. "That's better." Dropping the body Faith noticed that the other zombies had stopped trying to get up.



"All the zombies are dying." Claudia said, "I guess the others found the statue."



"So maybe we should get out of here before the men with the shot guns turn up." Anya suggested.



***



Meeting up just outside the farm they had all returned to the magic box. "Am I ever glad that we didn't have to bury all those bodies." Faith said.



"I think that Mr Mcalister's men are perfectly capable of covering up the evidence of their wrongdoing." Giles said.



Xander clapped his hands and rubbing them together with excitement he said, "You know, I feel a celebration coming on."



Willow nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah it's been ages since we've been to the Bronze."



"Cool." Faith said, "So who's up for a night of debauchery?"



"I'm going to have to decline, as fun as it sounds." Giles said, answered in a dry tone.



"Me too." Claudia agreed.



"Well that's the oldies out." Claudia sniffed at this, but didn't say anything, "Every one else in?" When everyone agreed Faith said, "Well then let's get going."



"Actually there's something that I have to do. I'll meet you guys there?"



"Do you want me to come with you?" Tara asked.



"No, that's okay." Willow turned away, then stopped and turned back. Smiling affectionately at Tara she added, "Save me a spot on the dance floor."



When Willow had gone Faith said, "Willow dances? She any good?" Suddenly everyone found something else to occupy themselves, "Ah, right." Faith added, smirking slightly.



As they were leaving Giles said, "Tara, I'd like to borrow that book that you found at some point."



"Sure." Tara said, taking the book from her bag and handing it to him.



***



As Willow entered the library she glanced around nervously, sighing with relief when she saw that Samuel wasn't around. Quickly going to the nearest map Willow whispered, "Where's Emma?"



"Were you looking for me?" Emma asked causing Willow to jump.



As Willow recovered she turned to Emma, "I wanted to ask you a few questions."



"You'd better come with me." Emma turned and walked away, pushing a small trolly full of books in front of her. As they reached one of the shelves Emma said, "So what did you want to ask? You know you'll find the answers to most of your questions in one of these books."



"Well I wanted to ask you something specific, about Samuel." Willow said in a low voice, worried that he might somehow overhear.



Emma, who had been putting a book away froze in mid action, "Ah." Turning to Willow and toying with the book, she said, "I'm afraid that I can't answer those questions."



Willow frowned suspiciously, "Can't or won't?"



"Sorry, did I stutter? I said that I can't answer your questions." She turned back to the book case, "Our lives seem to revolve around rules. They affect everything that we do. Of course some rules are more binding than others."



"So there are rules that are preventing you from answering me? But all rules can be broken." Willow encouraged.



Emma smiled sadly at this, "I tried that a long time ago. It didn't go so well." As Willow was processing this Emma suddenly said, "I take it that you don't want Samuel to know about this visit." Willow nodded, "Then it would be a good idea to leave." Willow jumped as an object appeared beside her. Seeing that it was a doorway she went through it back into the street.



***



Later that night Faith glanced mournfully at her empty glass then asked, "Who's turn is it?"



"Xander's." Willow answered.



"Willow's." Everyone else said at the same time.



"Oh fine, be like that then." Willow got up and went to the bar muttering, "It should be Xander, he is pay day guy after all."



Hearing this Faith asked, "Really? cool. Do you have a cape and stuff."



"No, I haven't received that yet. Besides I won't get paid till next week." Xander explained, shaking his head sadly.



Willow returned a while later looking rather shocked. "What's wrong?" Tara asked.



"When I was getting the drinks this guy came up to me and asked if I was red all over."



Anya leaned forward looking interested, "So what did you say?"



"I didn't. I just gave him a withering look then left." Willow answered, giving Anya a demonstration of that look.



"You know red, if you want I could beat him up for you." Faith offered.



"Uh no, that's okay. I think he was just drunk. But thanks for the offer." Turning to Tara Willow said, "Come on, let's go and dance."





TBC

Anya in a wimple...I'd pay full admission for that. Gods Served And Abandoned - by Antigone Unbound


You know the worst thing about people in a relationship? The fact that they're in a relationship. - Hilda Spellman

[bluewillowwitch]

justin

I love this fic! I love the woe exploding zombie thing. I can't wait to mre. Update soon, please? Would write more but I have class in half hour.









bluewillowwitch

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"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

[justin]

BlueWillowWitch: Hi ,

I'm glad you're liking the story.



Thanks for reading, and for the kind words.

Anya in a wimple...I'd pay full admission for that. Gods Served And Abandoned - by Antigone Unbound


You know the worst thing about people in a relationship? The fact that they're in a relationship. - Hilda Spellman

[xita]

Justin, catching up, I'd fallen behind a couple of updates. It's still giving me all kinds of angst. I hate seeing Tara so angry and violent, so unlike her. It's a good thing Willow is starting to ask the tough questions. Now, I wish Tara would. Perhaps whatever samuel is doing is blinding her self awareness, though she seems to know things are wrong, she just can't seem to place it on samuel, worse yet, she pulled away when willow tried to place it on him. Oh well, it's nice now, it's a lovely dance!

- - - - - - - - - - -
"Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose."

-Me & Bobby
McGee

[AntigoneUnbound]

Hi, Justin~~ I'm so sorry I've been away for these updates; on the plus side (for me, at least), I enjoyed a long, leisurely read!



Ah, so much going on...This Samuel person needs to be--how shall I say this--bitch-slapped for about half an hour. Yeah, that's it. Whatever is he doing w/ Tara, and more to the point, why? In the last "episode" she had (w/ Amy), she reminded me of what I imagine her father to have been like, at least w/in canon. Or am I pissing in the wind? (Especially ineffective, since I'm a woman.)



You're doing a nice job of keeping Claudia's true essence ambiguous. She definitely has some goings-on that the gang doesn't know about, but she also helps out. This is a good reminder that appearances can be deceiving, in both good and bad ways. I have to say, though, when I read that her cat occupied a paternal place in her life, I couldn't help but remember "Psycho," and Anthony Perkins' ill-advised attempts to forge a new and different relationship w/ his mother.



I always enjoy Curious Willow, Scientific Inquiry Willow, and her careful notation of Facts/Suppositions (in different colored pens, no less!) was really delightful. It was also a nice expositional device to keep the reader abreast of the developments, and I for one enjoy keeping a breast nearby at all times, preferably two.



On a final note (and as a farm girl), I have to feel bad for poor Mr. McAlister. Agriculture is a tough go these days; my brother is considering raising the dead for cheap labor on our family farm, and really, who can blame him? So he loses his life and his silo in one fell swoop. Ouch.



So again, my apologies for the absence, but I so enjoy this story. Can't wait for more.



Mary

Edited by: AntigoneUnbound at: 10/12/03 8:24 pm

[justin]

Hmm it seems that no one knows the answer to the quiz from part 9. So I'll tell you Megan was programming in Python. There I bet you were all dying to know that



Xita:

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I hate seeing Tara so angry and violent, so unlike her.

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You're right there. To be honest when I was planning the story it was going to be Willow who was being affected. Then I realised that it had to be Tara, precisely because it's so out of character for her.



worry not, the scales will be falling from both their eyes pretty soon.



Thanks for reading, and for the leaving of the feedback





AntigoneUnbound:

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This Samuel person needs to be--how shall I say this--bitch-slapped for about half an hour. Yeah, that's it.

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you're right he definitely needs to be

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In the last "episode" she had (w/ Amy), she reminded me of what I imagine her father to have been like, at least w/in canon. Or am I pissing in the wind? (Especially ineffective, since I'm a woman.)

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You're not entirely off. I was actually basing Tara's actions on her brother. Especially with the "I'll beat you down." line.



Oh and thanks for that mental picture

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You're doing a nice job of keeping Claudia's true essence ambiguous.

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Thanks. I wanted to keep Claudia ambiguous, so I'm glad that working You're right that she has her own agenda which may or may not be compatable with that of the scoobies.

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I always enjoy Curious Willow, Scientific Inquiry Willow, and her careful notation of Facts/Suppositions (in different colored pens, no less!) was really delightful.

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In Answering Darkness by Sassette there's a scene where Anya complains that if Willow was with them she'd have solved the problem easily by babbling endlessly and making notes in different coloured pens. It was that comment that inspired this scene.

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On a final note (and as a farm girl), I have to feel bad for poor Mr. McAlister. Agriculture is a tough go these days; my brother is considering raising the dead for cheap labor on our family farm, and really, who can blame him? So he loses his life and his silo in one fell swoop. Ouch.

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Well just tell your brother to not let them go out on the town getting drunk. I tell ya there's nothing worse than a drunk zombie.



Thanks for all your kind words.



The Cathedral And The Bazaar

- Author: Justin

- Email address: justin0@HotPOP.com

- Summary: This is an alternate version of S6 in which the scoobies don't resurrect Buffy and instead have Faith released from prison.

- Feedback: Any comments or constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated.

- Distribution: Anyone can take it, just let me know.

- Spoilers: Up to and including 'The Gift'

- Rating: R

- Pairing: W/T, X/A

- Disclaimer: Willow And Tara and most of the other characters in this story belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. Three cheers for creating two such wonderful characters. Three jeers for the way you treated them.

- Note: Many thanks to Arwen276 for beta-ing this part

- Note2: Flashbacks/dreams are in italics

- Note3: Warning -This part is rather angsty and ends with something of a cliffhanger



Chapter 11



Tara woke up with a slight headache, and feeling cold. She soon worked out the reason for the second thing as she noticed that the sheets had been pulled away from her. As she tried to pull them back Willow murmured something sleepily, then relinquished her hold on them. Tara felt a moment of irritation. She normally found Willow's sleep talking cute but now it was just annoying. She wondered when Willow was going to grow up. Shocked by these thoughts Tara got up an went to take a shower, hoping that it would clear her head.



When Tara got back she found that Willow was awake. Trying to seem cheerful, She smiled warmly, "Morning."



Sitting up Willow greeted, "Morning."



Tara sat down on the bed next to Willow, "So have you got anything planned for today?"



"Oh I was going to write my notes up, you know being quirky and all. What about you?"



"I told Anya I'd help at the shop a bit, remember?"



"Oh yeah, you did tell me I hope that Anya isn't taking advantage of you. I mean making you work on a Sunday." Willow said, sounding disapproving.



Changing the subject Tara asked, "Did you see Dawn's last assignment?"



"Yeah She's definitely slipping. We should talk to her about it." Willow reasoned.



Tara baulked at this idea. With the way she was feeling she suddenly became worried that she might blow up at Dawn, "Could you handle it?"



"Sure Later today I'll give her a lecture on the importance of academic excellence." Willows lips twitched into a smirk.



Tara smiled , "Thanks, now I need to get ready."



***



As Tara got downstairs there was a knock at the door. Opening the door she greeted the newcomer, "Hello, Mr Giles."



"Good morning, Tara."



Tara moved aside to let him in, saying, "Would you like a drink or anything?"



"No that's quite alright. I had some tea before coming." They went through into the kitchen, "I wanted to talk to you about that book you found."



"Do you know what it's about?"



"Well it seems to be some kind of journal." Seeing Tara looking at him expectantly he went on, "That's about as much as I can tell you." He looked a little sheepish as he explained, "I'm having trouble reading the hand writing."



"Maybe I should have a look at it. I might have more luck." Tara suggested.



"Yes, I was going to suggest that." Giles checked his pockets then said, "Ah, I seem to have neglected to bring it."



"You haven't lost it have you?" Tara's question was pleasant enough but there was an undertone to it that worried Giles.



"No, of course not. I must have just left it on the table."



"I mean that books an heirloom of sorts. If you have lost it then that would be a terrible thing to do. I mean you have to be careful with other peoples property." Tara was pacing as she said this, gesticulating wildly.



"Tara, I haven't lost it. If it's worrying you this much I'll bring it in to the Magic Box later today." Giles said earnestly, trying to appease Tara.



"Well okay then." Tara said, calming a little.



"Well I better get going." Giles went to door. Stopping he turned back and, trying to keep his voice light he said, "And Tara might I suggest that you switch to decaffeinated coffee."



***



Tara leant against the counter and sighed. She didn't know why Anya had asked her to come in today. So far in the last couple of hours three people had come in. One of whom had wanted directions to the nearest car park. Tara closed her eyes and tried to quell the boredom by telling herself she only had a couple more hours.



"Hey, I'm not paying you to sleep."



Opening her eyes Tara saw Anya in front of her, "What are you paying me to do?"



"Oh well I guess things haven't been as busy today as I was expecting. Oh well maybe you could..." Tar felt her attention wander as Anya looked around for something for her to do. "I know, Giles has got some really dangerous books hidden up on the second floor. Maybe you could gather them all." Seeing that Tara wasn't paying attention Anya went on,"So that we can display them more prominently."



"Okay..." Then as Tara realised what Anya had said, "What?"



"Just checking that you were listening. No actually I'm going to move them all into the safe. Giles may thing they're well hidden but really..."



"Yeah sure." Tara cut Anya off in mid rant, "I'll do it now." Tara quickly climbed up the ladder and began sorting through the books, trying to ignore the pounding in her head.



***



Tara tapped her foot impatiently. It hadn't taken long to sort out the dangerous books and now she was stuck behind the counter again. At least they had a customer, though he seemed to be having trouble deciding between a pair of amulets. 'Just choose already.' Tara thought She crossed her arms and gave him a hard look. As if noticing her looking at him the man glanced around, blushing he turned back to the amulets. A few moments later he glanced about again, before putting the amulets back and leaving.



"Now Tara, I appreciate you coming in today but you're scaring away the customers and that is never good. Look I don't think things are going to get any busier, why don't you go home?"



Tara was tempted to agree but instead said, "If you don't mind I think that I'll go and work out a bit."



"Sure you do that."



Tara walked into the training room, her thoughts fuming, Anya's got some nerve. Accusing me of scaring customers. And what's the big deal? So I'm having a bad day. Doesn't everyone? I don't see why everyone has to be on my case about it. Why can't they just cut me some slack. Walking up to the punching back Tara let out her frustration, hitting it as hard as she could.



"Ow!" She turned and shook her hand, a pained expression on her face.



"Maybe you should put these on." Faith held up a pair of gloves before throwing them to Tara.



As Tara put the gloves on she said,"I didn't hear you come in."



Faith smiled as she answered, "That's because I'm super sneaky."



Tara looked a little bemused by this but instead of responding she turned to the bag and began hitting it.



"You've got some good form there." Faith commented.



"Really?" Tara stopped a moment to turn to Faith.



"Yeah, really, if you supposed to be swimming." Faith snickered slightly as she said this.



Tara sighed and continued punching the bag.



"Though I don't really take you for the violent type." Faith went on.



"You think that I'm weak." Tara responded in a bitter tone.



"I didn't..." Faith blurted, trying to get out of this argument.



"Stupid, submissive Tara. God forbid that she should ever stand up for herself because that would just be wrong." Tara went on, continuing to hit the bag.



Faith waited a moment to let Tara cool off then asked, "Is that how you see yourself?"



"It's how everyone else sees me," she shrugged.



"I admit I haven't known you long but I've always seen you as being a kind and gentle.."



"That's right a kind gentle doormat." The blonde spat angrily.



"Where is this coming from?"



"I don't know. I mean part of me is horrified at how I'm acting while part of me is glad I'm finally standing up for myself."



"There's a fine line between standing up for yourself and being a jerk." Faith retorted.



"And you would know." Tara stopped, a horrified expression on her face, "Oh god, I didn't mean..."



"Yeah, I guess that I am something of an expert. Believe me you don't want to go the way that I did." Faith looked thoughtful for a moment, "You know what always helps me when I'm feeling like this?"



"Slaying?"



"No. Well yes but aside from that the thing that really helps me is a really good lay."



Tara looked shocked at this, "Faith no offence, I mean you're pretty but..."



It was Faith's turn to look shocked, "No, not with me. What you need to do is go home to that girlfriend of yours and find out if that saying about red heads is true."



"What saying?" Tara asked puzzled.



"You know, you can sleep with a blonde, you can sleep with a brunette, but you won't get any sleep with a red head." Faith smiled, relieved that the situation had grown less tense, and enjoying making Tara squirm.



"Oh right. Yeah I think I will get going." Tara quickly took the gloves off and handed them to Faith.



As she was going out Anya stopped her, "Giles was here. He brought your book back." Anya patted the book which was on the counter



"Oh yeah" Tara walked over and took it.



"Isn't there something that you should say now?" Anya tapped the book, an expectant expression on her face.



Looking annoyed Tara said sarcastically, "Thanks." Before storming off.



Tara couldn't believe how angry she felt. She knew there was no way she could go home feeling like his, after a few moments though she decided that a spell at the library would do her good.



***



Tara was surprised to find herself, not in the street which led to the library but in a large field. Tara knew she hadn't been paying attention to where she was going but she didn't know how she had gotten so far off track. She was about to retrace her steps when Tara realised that she wasn't angry any more. There was something about this place that was so relaxing. After some thought Tara decided to stay here a while. Looking around for somewhere to sit Tara spotted a large Willow tree. Smiling at the coincidence Tara went and sat underneath it. Getting the book from the bag she opened it up and stated reading.



***



As I write this I am filled with sadness. Sadness that no one will ever believe what I am about to recount. Even worse should my husband ever see this I know he will say this is the devils work. But I have to write this down. I cannot keep the wonders and the terrors that I have witnessed to myself So as you read this as fanciful as some of these things might seem I swear by the goddess that they are true.



***



Tara stopped a moment, staring at her ancestors signature. It looked almost the same as hers. She wondered what Eliza Maclay had seen and why people had thought it was so terrible that they had to hide it away. Turning the page Tara continued reading.



***



It all started a year ago. A year, it seems almost like a life time. I was working in a small shop helping behind the counter. It was a pretty quiet till a young monk came in. He was from a local order. People were suspicious of them, saying they performed unholy rituals. I never believed this, they always seemed so polite. He bought some items then left. It was only after he had gone that I noticed he had dropped his purse I put it to one side and forgot about it.



A week later when the monk hadn't returned I decided to return it to him. I could have given it to one of the errand boys but I was curious to see their monastery. It wasn't far to the monastery so I walked over there The door was open and there was no one about. I rang the bell anyway and waited. After a few minutes I decided to go in. I heard voices and went towards them. There was a group of monks n the main hall. One was saying, "Is this such a good idea?"



"We really don't have much of a choice."



I was going to step forward and announce myself when I saw them, knights. There was ten of them , their heads bowed in prayer. The leader was reciting, "The key is the link, the link must be protected, such is the will of god."



***



Tara looked up in shock, "Knights of Byzantium." She whispered. But what had happened? Why had they changed from wanting to protect the key to wanting to destroy it?



***



I was torn between making myself known and leaving and sending the purse up with one of the boys. I couldn't decide and in not choosing the choice was made for me and it was a choice that changed everything.



***



Tara was about to turn the page but stopped. There was something about the situation in the book that seemed to resonate with her. Like Eliza she had a choice to make, and like her, if she wasn't careful the choice would be made for her. Closing the book Tara considered her options. She just didn't know what to do about the mood swings she had been feeling. She felt so lost. As soon as Tara thought this the answer became obvious. Standing Tara realised she knew exactly what she had to do.



TBC

Anya in a wimple...I'd pay full admission for that. Gods Served And Abandoned - by Antigone Unbound


You know the worst thing about people in a relationship? The fact that they're in a relationship. - Hilda Spellman

Edited by: justin at: 10/14/03 2:09 am

[Washi]

Hey!

First of all, I've read on the update thread that today's your birthday so, Happy Birthday!



Now, I'm getting muchly intrigued by what Tara's gonna do and by this 'diary' or 'journal'.

Also, I liked Tara's reaction to Faith's lay talk.

Great stuff, and I hope to read more soon.

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



"See? I've mastered this tact crap." Anya in Tears Of The Goddess by Lisa



The course of love doesn’t always run smooth, especially for the neurotic and accident-prone. ~ LadyB



.:Dark-bliss.net :..:My blog:..:Blood and Ink:.

[xita]

Argh, I have a feeling Tara has decided to go to samuel! blergh, blah! Go home and tell your sweetie Tara! GO! Maybe she'll listen to me or maybe not! Soo jarring, my jerky Tara!



Thanks for the update Justin and....



HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

- - - - - - - - - - -
"Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose."

-Me & Bobby
McGee

[bluewillowwitch]

justin ,

Loved the update! I would just like to start out saying that as a redhead I know the answer to that saying. Now moving on, was smart not really saying anything. Fatih was good calling her on all the stuff she was saying and how she was acting. I just wonder what choice has made. I can't wait to and find out. Update soon, please? pray



Oh and bythe way:





HAPPY BIRTHDAY







bluewillowwitch

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

Edited by: bluewillowwitch  at: 10/15/03 9:00 pm

[justin]

First of all thanks for all the birthday wishes. Here's a little program to demonstrate how much I appreciate it



1000.times do puts " are the bestest" end



Secondly you all seem to be curious about what Tara's going to do next. To which I say - Mwaahaahaahaa



okay as a hint I'll say consider this line

Quote:

---

She felt so lost. As soon as Tara thought this the answer became obvious.

---

along with the conversation between Willow and Tara at the end of the episode The Gift.



Washi: I'm glad you liked the Tara/Faith conversation. Thanks for reading.



Xita: You never know, maybe Tara heard you Thanks for the kind words



BlueWillowWitch: ,



You're a redhead? Cool I've been in love with all readheads ever since seeing Anne of Green Gables (Mmmm Megan Follow )



Another person who liked the Faith/Tara conversation. I'm glad that that worked okay. Thanks

Anya in a wimple...I'd pay full admission for that. Gods Served And Abandoned - by Antigone Unbound


You know the worst thing about people in a relationship? The fact that they're in a relationship. - Hilda Spellman

[bluewillowwitch]

justin ,

Yup I'm aredhead. "Anne of Green Gables". I love that movie I want to find it on DVD but have only found it on VHS. So are you in love with redhead or just that redhead? Can't wit to more an see what happns. The hint? She was lost then knew. goes to right? That is where they go when they are lost. To each other.









bluewillowwitch

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

[justin]

BlueWillowWitch



I love all redheads - Anne Shirley, Dr Chrusher, Willow, The girl from Cybill - All of them.



As to what the hint meant, you'll find out in a mo.



First I have some bad news. Next month I'm going to be taking part in the National Novel Writing Month, during which I'll be trying to write a 50,000 word novel in a month. Due to this I'll probably have to slow down the rate of updating over the next month.



The Cathedral And The Bazaar

- Author: Justin

- Email address: justin0@HotPOP.com

- Summary: This is an alternate version of S6 in which the scoobies don't resurrect Buffy and instead have Faith released from prison.

- Feedback: Any comments or constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated.

- Distribution: Anyone can take it, just let me know.

- Spoilers: Up to and including 'The Gift'

- Rating: R

- Pairing: W/T, X/A

- Disclaimer: Willow And Tara and most of the other characters in this story belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. Three cheers for creating two such wonderful characters. Three jeers for the way you treated them.

- Note: Many thanks to Arwen276 for beta-ing this part

- Note2: Flashbacks/dreams are in italics



Chapter 12



Waking up Willow moved her arm to reach out for Tara. She was surprised to find that she was alone in bed. Willow harrumphed to herself as she wondered where Tara was. Listening carefully she soon learnt the answer as she heard the shower running. Willow listened as the shower turned off and someone approached. For a moment she wondered if Bobby Ewing was going to come in. She was relieved to see Tara instead. Tara gave Willow a false smile and said, "Morning."



Willow frowned, wondering what was wrong, "Morning."



Tara sat down asking, "Have you got anything planned for today?"



"Oh I was going to write my notes up. You know being quirky and all. What about you?"



"I told Anya I'd help out at the shop remember?"



"Oh yeah, you did tell me. I hope that Anya isn't taking advantage of you? I mean making you work on a Sunday." Willow felt a moment of annoyance at the way Anya seemed to be overworking Tara.



Shifting uncomfortably Tara asked, "Did you see Dawn's last assignment?"



Wondering if this was what was bothering Tara Willow said, "Yeah she's definitely slipping. We should talk to her about it."



Tara seemed worried by this suggestion, "Could you handle it?"



"Sure. Later today I'll give her a lecture on the importance of academic excellence."



Tara smiled, "Thanks. Now I need to get ready." When Tara had gone Willow lay back and started thinking. She felt so helpless. She wanted to help Tara but didn't know how. She resolved to herself that at the very least she was going to get some answers about Samuel. The problem was she didn't know where to go to get those answers. A smile formed on her face as she realised there was one person she could go to.



***



When she had gotten dressed Willow made her breakfast for herself and Dawn. While they were eating Willow said, in a careful voice, "Tara and I were just discussing the mark you got for your last assignment."



Dawn didn't answer, staring down at her plate.



Willow hesitated, not wanting to sound too judgemental, "Your marks have been consistently lower than normal for a while now."



Again Dawn didn't answer.



"You know if you want any help at all then you just have to ask."



"I know." Dawn said, answering for the first time. "It's just been hard, you know."



Willow nodded, "I know. Okay, so you'll try harder from now on and get that average up again?"



"Sure." Dawn stood up and said, "I'm going to do some studying."



After Dawn had left, Willow went over the conversation before saying, "Well I guess that that went well."



***



Seeing Willow enter Willy groaned and looked upwards as if asking why the universe hated him so much. She stopped in the doorway as she looked around with an exasperated expression. As she finally came up to the bar he asked, "So, um, what can I do for you?" Willy asked, thinking 'please don't say information, please don't say information.'



"You can answer some questions for me."



Willy groaned again, hitting his towel against the bar, "Damn it. You know you really are making things hard for me. I mean I'm just starting to get a good reputation with these guys but if I keep talking to you like this I'll ruin it."



"Yeah, well I really care about your rep with a bunch of murderous demons." Willow replied with a sarcastic tone.



"Well then I guess I can't help you." Willy grabbed a glass and started rinsing it.



"Wait, how about a deal?" Willow suggested in a desperate tone.



Willy turned back to her looking interested, "Yeah?"



"Answer three questions and I'll never bother you again."



Willy sighed, realising that this was the best that he was going to get, "Okay fine. But only three."



"What do you know about Samuel?"



"There are a lot of guys called Samuel. Come on you've got to give me something to work with."



"He's some kind of magic teacher, lives in a mystical library."



"Oh him." Willy glanced round the bar then leaning forward he said in a low voice, "Listen you don't want to have anything to do with that guy, he's bad news. The thing about his school is, no one ever seems to graduate if you get what I mean."



Willow had to grab the bar, she suddenly felt ill. She wondered how she could have let Tara just visit this man without checking about him. She knew it was much too late for her to be getting information now. She told herself that she had gone along because it had been Claudia who had suggested it but that didn't work since she didn't really know Claudia. Also it had been Whistler who had recommended Samuel to her.



"Hey are you alright?" Willy asked.



Willow nodded, "Fine."



"Just, it looked like you were going to pass out." Willy pointed out, glancing over at some of his other patrons he noticed the way they were watching her. He shuddered to think of the feeding frenzy that would occur if she actually did pass out.



Looking Willy in the eye she asked, "What do you know about a demon called Whistler?"



"Whistler? Got a rep as something of a busy body. He works for the," Willy lifted his hands to make quote marks, "Powers That Be."



Willow nodded, that had been pretty much what Claudia had told her.



"So if that's all." Willy said abruptly, wanting to get her out of there.



"Wait a minute." Willow frowned, "I've got one more question."



Willy sighed, "Okay then let's have it."



"Who are the powers that be?"



Willy shrugged, "Your guess is as good as mine."



"Thanks." Willow left the bar deciding that Tara wasn't going to see Samuel again just till they had a lot more information. Willow was halfway home when she remembered Amy. She quickly resolved that once she knew that Tara was safe she was going to get Amy away from him. Though she had to admit that that would be a lot harder.



***



Dawn greeted Willow as she got home, "So did you find anything out?"



"You could say that. Is Tara back yet?"



"No, she's still at the Magic Box I guess."



"Oh." Willow thought about a moment, "You know I'm going to go meet her there."



"Sure." Dawn answered with a shrug.



"We'll be back in a little bit."



***



Willow was surprised when she didn't see Tara in the front of the Magic Box. "Is Tara in the training room?" she asked already heading there.



"What?" Anya asked, looking up, "Tara's already left."



Willow screeched to a halt. Turning to Anya she said, "Where did she go?"



"I thought that she'd gone straight home. Faith!"



"Yeah." The reply came from the training room.



"Where did Tara go?"



As Faith came into the main room she answered, "She went to give Willow a..." Faith stopped as she saw Willow, then quickly said, "A... an update on how well the shop is doing."



"Very smooth." Anya commented, a smug smile on her face.



Turning to Willow Faith said, "She was going to go straight home. I take it she hasn't arrived."



"No, and I'm getting worried. I'm going to go look for her."



"Don't you think you're over reacting." Anya asked. Willow turned and glared at her, but before she could respond Anya went on, "I mean maybe she just had to do some shopping. She might be home by now wondering where you are."



Willow considered this, "I'll phone and check.."



Willow came back a while later, "I just spoke to Dawn. Tara hasn't been back."



"Well then let's get going." Faith said.



"What?" Willow asked, not understanding where Faith wanted to go, she needed to get out looking for Tara.



"You said we were going to look for Tara."



Realising what Faith meant Willow said, "You don't have to come."



Holding the door open Faith said, "I know that I don't."



***



"You know I get the feeling this is more than just worry over Tara being missing." Faith said.



"Yeah. Quite a lot more." Willow explained about her visit to Willy's. "I just feel so stupid."



"Well at least you know now. You just need to make sure she doesn't see him any more and problem solved."



"What about if he comes after her?" Willow argued, sounding worried.



Faith stopped and turning to look at Willow she said, "Listen, whoever this guy is, he's going to have to go through me before he gets near either of you."



Willow nodded and smiling with gratitude she said, "Thanks."



Turning away Faith groaned, "Why me? Why do I always get the evil watchers?"



"What?" Willow turned in surprise at this sudden outburst.



"Well it was Claudia who suggested that Tara see Samuel."



"Maybe, but only because he was recommended by this Whistler guy."



"So you think she was fooled like the rest of us."



"I don't know. I guess we can give her the benefit of the doubt." Inwardly Willow decided that while she wouldn't condemn Claudia right away, she wouldn't trust her totally either.



They continued walking in silence. After a while Willow said, "Faith I want to thank you. For what you said about Samuel having to go through you. I really appreciate that."



"Hey, it's what I'm here for." Faith Shrugged, she didn't see that she said done anything special.



"I know, but still..." Willow hesitated a moment, "You may have noticed I don't really trust you."



Faith smiled slightly, "Just a bit, yeah."



"I've been trying to work out why that is."



"Could it be because I betrayed you all?" Faith suggested in a casual tone.



"Yes but I've forgiven other people who deserved it a lot less, more readily."



Faith just nodded, though inwardly she was thrilled to hear Willow imply that she deserved to be forgiven.



Willow went on, "Anyway I think it might be because I was jealous."



Faith's eyes widened with surprise, "You were? Why?"



"Well you and Buffy had this connection because you were both slayers. It just seemed that with you around, she didn't need me any more." Willow answered in a small voice.



Faith was silent as she tried to digest this. After a while she said, "Would it help if I told you I was jealous of you as well?"



"You were? Why?" Willow smiled as she realised that she had echoed Faith's words.



"It was just you all had this really tight friendship and I just felt excluded from that. Also you were so much smarter than me."



"You're not stupid Faith." Faith made a disbelieving sound, "Ignorant maybe, but not stupid." Willow added with a slight smirk.



Faith smiled, "That's better is it?"



"Yes it is."



***



As Willow and Faith got back home Faith said, "You know I'm sure that Tara will turn up, okay. She probably just needed to go off and think."



Willow just nodded, not saying anything.



"I could stay here if you want. In case there's any news."



Willow nodded again, turning to Faith she said, "Thanks."



"Well we better get the couch ready."



Willow was about to agree with this, but stopped and said, "What? We've got a spare room you can use."



Faith glanced up, seeming to consider this, "Thanks but, you know it just wouldn't seem right."



"I understand." Willow nodded her understanding.



***



Once the couch was ready Willow went up to bed. She was so sleepy that it took a moment for her to realise who was there. Tara was sitting on the bed, her legs drawn up to her chest and her head resting on her knees.



"Tara." Willow said softly.



Looking up Tara said, "Willow I am so sorry."



Willow went to sit next to Tara, putting her arms round her and resting her head against her shoulder, "You've got nothing to be sorry about."



"But I do." Tara argued, "I know I've been pushing you away."



"I admit it did hurt." Willow said carefully. She didn't want to upset Tara further but she also knew that they had to deal with what had happened.



"I know. It's just I was so worried I might hurt you." Tara paused and took a deep breath, "I know now that it was the wrong thing to do."



Willow turned and started kissing Tara as she whispered, "It's okay, you're here now." Tara moved her hands to the side of Willow's face and began gently playing with her hair as she kissed Willow on the lips.



After they had been kissing a while Willow pulled back and blurted, "Faith."



Tara pouted and said, "Not the response I was expecting."



"No, I mean Faith is downstairs. She was helping me look for you. I better tell her you're okay." Tara nodded and Willow went to the door saying, "Don't move." After taking a couple of steps more she stopped and said, "Well obviously you can move, I don't want you to turn into a statue or something. I mean I'll be right back." Willow opened the door and dashed downstairs.



***



When Willow got back Tara was sitting up in bed. As Willow got in bed beside her Tara asked, "Is Faith okay?"



"Yeah. She was relieved to hear that you're alright. You know Faith and I talked earlier and while we're not going to be scheduling any sleep overs any time soon, we are getting on better now."



"That's good." Tara said as she moved put her arms round Willow, "I've been thinking. I'm not going to see Samuel any more."



"Oh, so you know about him?" Willow asked in surprise.



"I mean, he was helping but I realised that the only thing I need to get through this, to get through anything is you." Tara frowned as she realised what Willow had said, "Know what about him?"



"Um well..." Willow hesitated.



"Tell you what, let's discuss it tomorrow." Tara interrupted her with a sexy smile.



"Good idea." With that Willow rolled over on top of Tara and began kissing her fiercely.



***



Tara woke up in the middle of the night, her skin burning. Moving Willow slightly she quickly pulled herself out of bed. Her throat was raw and her skin felt as though it was on fire. She could feel sweat pouring down her body. Then she saw that it wasn't sweat, it was a black oily liquid. "Oh god." Tara groaned, before bending over and being sick.



"Tara are you okay?" Willow asked, moving towards her.



"Don't touch me." Tara warned, "I don't know what..." She stopped as she was again sick.



Ignoring Tara's warning Willow went to put her arms round her. She was relieved to see that Tara's skin was clear of the liquid. She held Tara and made soothing sounds until the sickness had passed.



"I think that I'm starting to feel better." Tara said, "Oh goddess." Tara added as the pool of liquid began to move. Contracting inwards it began to stretch upwards. Willow helped Tara up and they backed away from it as it took on a human like form.



Turning to Willow it said in a cheery voice, "Hello girlfriend."



"Faith!" Willow called, fear evident in her voice, as she and Tara moved away from it. "Faith!"



"What, no hug?" The creature pouted.



"Faith!" Willow screamed. She was relieved to hear footsteps coming up the stairs.



"Stay back Dawn." Faith ordered as she burst into the room. "What the hell is that?"



"Faith, you're not welcome here." The creature said.



Not answering Faith swung at it, only for it to move out of the way. After a few misses Faith hit the thing, her fist going through it's chest. As she pulled her fist back the hole sealed up, leaving the creature unharmed. "How do I kill this thing?"



"We have to help her." Tara whispered.



"How about fire?"



Tara shook her head, "We might hurt Faith. What about ice?"



Willow nodded, then leaned forward to whisper something. Standing they looked at the creature and chanted, "Cold as ice and twice as nice. Banish this thing from our sight."



The creature was just swinging at Faith, when it suddenly froze. Faith looked it up and down a moment then smirked, "Cool." Stepping back she spun round and kicked it. It broke into several pieces that fell to the floor and shattered.



A moment later a head popped round the door and asked in a hesitant voice, "Is it safe yet?"



"Come in." Tara said, motioning for Dawn to join them.



"Okay one thing," Faith said, "cold as ice and twice as nice? What the hell?"



Willow harrumphed, "Well you try to think of something that rhymes with ice in that situation."



"Where did it come from?" Dawn asked.



"Me." Tara whispered, "It came from me."



Willow cleared her throat, "Okay Tara you need to get some rest. Faith, Dawn could you call the others and get them here?"



Faith asked, "What are you going to be doing?"



Willow glanced distastefully at the ice fragments around the room, "I'll be clearing this up?"



"Have fun."



Willow just nodded as she tried to work out what to do with the remains of the creature. As Faith started to leave she quickly looked up and said, "When you speak to Anya can you ask her to get the thing we talked about ready for tomorrow."



Faith nodded and left.



***



Willow came downstairs a while later carrying a sealed box. She stored it away then went into the living room saying, "And to think I thought I'd never use those bio-hazard stickers that I bought." She looked round at the people who were gathered, "Where's Claudia?"



"Claudia wasn't in." Faith answered.



"Anya's taking care of that thing." Xander added.



"Faith was just telling us about what happened. Can you describe the creature?" Giles asked.



"Well it was sort of humanoid but made out of this black liquid." As a thought occurred to Willow she said excitedly, "Actually it looked a lot like Ink."



No one seemed to get this, except Xander, "You mean the assassin from Batman of the Future?"



"Yeah, exactly." Willow nodded.



Giles coughed, "Well as useful as that is, I take it, it came out of Tara?"



"Yeah, out of her skin, and she threw it up." Willow explained.



"Well this is interesting." Seeing the look that Willow was giving him he added, "I mean horrible. I can't really say I have any idea what we're dealing with."



"I've been thinking about it, the only thing I can think of is this is some after affect of her experience with Glory."



"No." Everyone turned to see Tara leaning on the door frame. "It was Samuel."



"You should be resting." Willow admonished. Tara took a step, then her legs gave way. Willow quickly ran to catch her. She helped Tara to the chair. Then sat down on the arm, her arm loosely draped round Tara's shoulders.



"Now Tara." Giles said in a gentle voice, "You were saying?"



"It was Samuel who... put that thing inside me." Tara paused, clearly distraught.



Willow leaned closer whispering, "It's okay, you're safe."



"I-it was eating away at me from the inside. Soon..." Tara paused again, "Soon I would have been gone and only that thing would have been left."



Faith suddenly stood up, "I've heard enough, this Samuel needs to have his butt kicked, right now."



"I wouldn't advice that. This Samuel is most likely a powerful witch."



Willow snorted, "Warlock, more like."



"Quite. Well taking him on would be a bad idea."



Faith looked round for support.



"I never thought that I'd say this but Faith is right." Xander said.



"He has to be stopped." Tara said in a low but determined voice. Willow nodded in support.



Giles sighed and surrendering to the group's decision, as well as his own desire to teach this Samuel a lesson, he conceded, "Well if you're determined on this course of action, then let's get going."



Standing Xander said, "As the ever loving, blue eyed Thing would say, it's clobbering time."



***



When they reached the library they found Samuel waiting for them. He was wearing black robes and was holding something golden in his hand which he kept twirling about.



"I knew you were coming." He said this without emotion. Turning to Tara he said, "I sensed you throwing off the Shakdra's influence." He then addressed the group, "Now you'll all kick my arse, or should that be ass?" He face contorted with rage as he sneered, "Fools you have no idea what you're dealing with."



Faith took a step forwards, "Looks to me like another big mouthed loser with delusions of adequacy."



Samuel looked into Faiths eyes and said in a pleasant tone, "You are going to die screaming." He turned back to Tara, "Oh Tara you could have been a part of something glorious but now you're just another ant to be squashed."



"That's it." Faith moved forward.



"Idiot." Samuel shouted, "You can't hurt me." He opened up the object he had been holding. They just had time to realise that it was a lighter before he lit it. "I'm already dead." he laughed as the flames rushed up his arm and consumed his body.



Without speaking Willow and Tara glanced at each other then took each others hands and began chanting an incantation. A cloud formed over Samuel and rain began pouring down on him. After a few seconds the fire had been put out.



As the smoke cleared away they saw that Samuels clothes and most of his skin had been burnt away but he didn't seem to notice. Addressing Willow and Tara he said, "Look on me witches, look on me and see your own fate." With that he crumpled to the floor.



Faith went over to him, making a sound of revulsion as she checked for a pulse. Shaking her head she said, "He's dead." She looked up as a shadow fell across her.



Emma made a tutting sound, "Such a mess." She looked at the group and said, "I suggest that you leave, now."



***



Suddenly they all found themselves in the alleyway. "Is everyone okay?" Giles asked. Everyone answered in the affirmative.



Tara looked at her necklace. "It's broken."



"Mine to." Willow said, after checking her own, "I guess that we're not welcome any more."



"I suggest we get some sleep." Giles said, "We can meet up tomorrow to discuss what has happened."



"Actually can we meet the day after?" Willow asked, "we could both do with some R&R."



Giles nodded, "I understand. Very well then we'll meet up the day after tomorrow."



Willow turned to Faith and giving the slayer a grateful smile she offered, "Faith you can still stay with us if you want."



"Nah I think I'll head home." Faith answered as she gestured her appreciation for the offer.



With that they headed to their respective homes.



***



"How could you?" Claudia raged, "I trusted you."



"It was necessary." Whistler said, calmly.



"But Tara could have been hurt, killed even." Claudia's voice was quiet but her anger was evident in her tone and mannerisms.



"That was a possibility." Whistler shrugged.



"Don't you care?" Claudia demanded.



"Do you?" Whistler countered, his tone unconcerned.



"Yes." Seeing that Whistler looked skeptical she went on, "I like Tara. She hasn't had an easy life but she's still a very caring person. I... admire that." Her voice was thick with emotion.



Whistler was quiet a moment as he digested this. Then he asked, "Why are you here?"



Claudia gave the obvious answer, "I'm Faith's watcher."



"But from what I've heard you had to twist a lot of arms to get this assignment, why?"



Claudia's face hardened as she said, "After that little stunt you pulled, I would avoid Sunnydale for a while."



"I'm not frightened of you Claudia."



"It's not me that you need to worry about." Claudia told a couple of steps towards him, "Willow knows it was you who suggested sending Tara to Samuel."



"Ah." Whistler paled at this news.



Claudia walked to the door, pausing with her hand on the handle, "Hell hath no fury like a woman whose lover has been put in danger." With that she left.

Anya in a wimple...I'd pay full admission for that. Gods Served And Abandoned - by Antigone Unbound


You know the worst thing about people in a relationship? The fact that they're in a relationship. - Hilda Spellman

[LostWithoutTara]

Whoa. Just read the last three updates, and it's been quite a ride. The developments with Tara and Samuel were fascinating, and I love the developing... camaraderie? between Willow and Faith. They're not exactly friends, but I like that some of the issues between them have been addressed. Elsewhere, Claudia's actions are fascinating and I'm looking forward to discovering whatever secret she's hiding or if she has a hidden agenda. The touches with Dawn were nice (I'm thinking the scene where she was searching through Spike's crypt for info on Doc), and it made me wonder exactly what Dawn did with the incantation that Doc gave her in Forever . Admittedly, we never found out if the spell brought Joyce back fully, but I wonder if Dawn would have considered using it to restore Buffy if it was available...



The discovery of the journal is also great, and I'm thinking that perhaps the mention of the Knights of Byzantium may infer something about the mysterious kidnappings of Glory's brain-drain victims? As long as no-one comes for Tara... .



Anyway, absolutely great. I'm hooked, but in a good can't-wait-for-more way, not a bad after-school-special-I-need-help way.



Oh, and a very belated happy birthday!

Every time you walk away, I pretend that I'm okay

[justin]

LostWithoutTara:

Quote:

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and I love the developing... camaraderie? between Willow and Faith. They're not exactly friends, but I like that some of the issues between them have been addressed.

---

You're right they are getting on better. I think that at some point Willow is going to wake up and realise that she and Faith are friends.

Quote:

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The touches with Dawn were nice (I'm thinking the scene where she was searching through Spike's crypt for info on Doc), and it made me wonder exactly what Dawn did with the incantation that Doc gave her in Forever . Admittedly, we never found out if the spell brought Joyce back fully, but I wonder if Dawn would have considered using it to restore Buffy if it was available...

---

That's a good point. Dawn probably did consider using the spell at some point but now she knows that Buffy is somewhere nice she won't go through with that idea.

Quote:

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Anyway, absolutely great. I'm hooked, but in a good can't-wait-for-more way, not a bad after-school-special-I-need-help way.

---

I'm glad you're enjoying it

Quote:

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Oh, and a very belated happy birthday!

---

Thanks

Anya in a wimple...I'd pay full admission for that. Gods Served And Abandoned - by Antigone Unbound


You know the worst thing about people in a relationship? The fact that they're in a relationship. - Hilda Spellman

[xita]

Ahh thankfully it looks like they're rid of Samuel's nasty influence over Tara. Grrr. .. but claudia.. was a good guy. She was tricked by Whistler. And he shouldn't be up to bad things so you have to wonder what the ptb want with our girls.. or why they would want them to go through that.

- - - - - - - - - - -
"Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose."

-Me & Bobby
McGee

[bluewillowwitch]

justin ,

I love this update! and are going to have a lot of trouble I think. Eww this is starting to get really thick. Faith seems to be get along with the group better. That is always a good thing. Oh my god! Whistler and Claudia are going to be n so much trouble. I can't wait to more. Update soon, please?







Grace

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

[AntigoneUnbound]

Hi, Justin. Hell hath no fury like Willow now, indeed. Girlfriend done got her smack-down face on, and I for one wouldn't want to be Whistler right now (esp. w/ that goofy hat--so hard to pull off that look, isn't it?).



So it seems that Claudia does care about Tara, more than perhaps she anticipated. Now why does Whistler want/have a hand in all of this? Hmm...



As you might have expected, I greatly enjoyed seeing Samuel get his just desserts. ("What? Just desserts? I was expecting an entree..." I love how Willow doesn't back away when her instincts tug at her. She's a wonderful combination of scientific and intuitive.



Great work, Justin.

Mary

[jixer]

Hello Kittens-



I'm going to go back and re-read this again and then write better feedback. Right now I'll just say this is interesting and I'm waiting patiently (really, trust me) for more.



ETA-Happy belated wishes of fulfillment for your natal anniversary!



Jixer

Edited by: jixer at: 10/26/03 10:53 pm

[justin]

Xita:

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Ahh thankfully it looks like they're rid of Samuel's nasty influence over Tara.

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Yup, now that Samuel is nicely char grilled, he won't be causing them any more problems

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Grrr. .. but claudia.. was a good guy. She was tricked by Whistler. And he shouldn't be up to bad things

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Yes, bad bad Whister. He needs to be

Quote:

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so you have to wonder what the ptb want with our girls.. or why they would want them to go through that.

---

That will be revealed shortly.



Thanks for reading



BlueWillowWitch:

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Faith seems to be get along with the group better.

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Better with Willow, but Xander still has issues that will need to be dealt with.

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Oh my god! Whistler and Claudia are going to be n so much trouble.

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Whistler definitely, but Claudia not so much. Though the others, especially Willow, are going to find it harder to trust her from now on.



I'm glad that you're enjoying the story



AntigoneUnbound

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and I for one wouldn't want to be Whistler right now

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Well he's a clever demon, so he'll be avoiding Sunnydale for a while now

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So it seems that Claudia does care about Tara, more than perhaps she anticipated

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Well it's my belief that no one could get to know Tara without starting to care about her.

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As you might have expected, I greatly enjoyed seeing Samuel get his just desserts.

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And he got them en flambe as well



Thanks for the kind words.



Jixer: Any feedback is greatly appreciated

Quote:

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ETA-Happy belated wishes of fulfillment for your natal anniversary!

---

When I first read that I thought it said navel and was rather confused.



Thanks

Anya in a wimple...I'd pay full admission for that. Gods Served And Abandoned - by Antigone Unbound


You know the worst thing about people in a relationship? The fact that they're in a relationship. - Hilda Spellman

[Grimlock72]

Oh oh... I just started reading this story, quite long too I *know* I've seen the title somewhere before but I've forgetten WHERE, bit annoying that.



Anyway, on to the feedback. I've never liked Faith, having only seen her on Buffy (i.e. not on Angel) she didn't appear very sorry about anything she did. Even in this story I'm not sure she's all THAT sorry, she keeps saying she's more usefull outside prison. While that may be true it doesn't say much about her murdering the professor back in Sunnydale. I guess the needs of the many really outweight the doubts of a few



Samuel died way to easily, I don't trust it one bit. He either had a lot of power himself or he just used the library for his own means. It seems the library is gone now, which is a shame since both Willow and Tara probably would have found usefull books in there. Where did Amy go by the way, is she still in the library ??



The zombies-on-the-farm subplot was a nice one, would have made a good TV-episode. Farmer hires undead help, heh... sure beats paying wages :-). Tara finding her familly's book is nice, though I'm not sure WHY reading it made her decide not to see Samual again. (loved Willow's not so subtle reference to crackhouse and a certain dealer)



I've never liked Whistler and those Powers That Be (which for all we know might very well be whistler himself, projecting an image of being 'just' a messenger). I don't like the chess-like way Whistler and his like seem to use people. For that reason I won't trust him EVER, he just likes to play... sometimes thats good for people and sometimes bad. I doubt Whistler cares much.



I'm not sure why Whistler is so worried about Willow. If he really is some sort of messenger for the PTB then why should he worry ? Sure, Willow and the other scoobies won't play his stupid schemes anymore... but can they actually hurt him ? If they can I'm all for it, they don't need yet another creatures influencing their lives.



Claudia has some explaining to do for sure, it took Willow all of 5 seconds to get information pointing to Samuel being not-so-nice. Claudia could have easily checked Samuel herself. Tara really shouldn't have been so trusting, same goes for Willow. Sure lets send Tara to a magic school with someone we've never heard of in charge... didn't sound right from the start. I have to admit that having seen season6 on TV also helped with the suspicion part there.



Speaking about Claudia, she seemed to be a bit too powerfull/strong in Willy's bar. Only Dawn saw that and never told anybody else, but still it struck me as strange. As for her dad being a cat, judging by what she said I would guess that was done to protect someone from dad's bad temper. Nothing inherently wrong there, just the keeping secrets part... but the scoobs tend to do that themselves anyway



I hope Tara's going to be alright, she must feel miserable right now .



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

[justin]

Grimlock72:

Quote:

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Oh oh... I just started reading this story, quite long too

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And I'm only a third of the way through the story

Quote:

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I *know* I've seen the title somewhere before but I've forgetten WHERE, bit annoying that.

---

I got the name from the essay on programming by Eric Raymond. If anyones interested you can find a copy here



If you're wondering what the link is between this story and that essay then no comment

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I've never liked Faith, having only seen her on Buffy (i.e. not on Angel) she didn't appear very sorry about anything she did. Even in this story I'm not sure she's all THAT sorry,

---

Well Faith isn't really one for the sack cloth and ashes

Quote:

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she keeps saying she's more usefull outside prison. While that may be true it doesn't say much about her murdering the professor back in Sunnydale.

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Well the way I look at it if Faith were in prison then it wouldn't just be punishing her, it would also be punishing the people who she could have helped had she been free. Though you raise a good point about the professor.

Quote:

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Samuel died way to easily, I don't trust it one bit.

---

Indeed he did. More on that later.

Quote:

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It seems the library is gone now, which is a shame since both Willow and Tara probably would have found usefull books in there.

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Not nescessarily. Remember Samuel told Tara that he didn't own the library, the owner was just letting him use it.

Quote:

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Where did Amy go by the way, is she still in the library ??

---

Good question

Quote:

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Tara finding her familly's book is nice, though I'm not sure WHY reading it made her decide not to see Samual again.

---

Well reading it just made Tara face up to the fact that she had to make an important descision about how she was going to handle her problems. Once she started thinking about how lost she felt it became clear that she ought to turn to Willow for help rather than Samuel.

Quote:

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I've never liked Whistler and those Powers That Be (which for all we know might very well be whistler himself, projecting an image of being 'just' a messenger). I don't like the chess-like way Whistler and his like seem to use people. For that reason I won't trust him EVER, he just likes to play... sometimes thats good for people and sometimes bad. I doubt Whistler cares much.

---

Very true and you're right to not trust him

Quote:

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I'm not sure why Whistler is so worried about Willow.

---

Well we never saw how powerful Whistler is but given the fact that Willow was able to hurt Glory I think she is someone to worry about when she's angry.

Quote:

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Claudia has some explaining to do for sure, it took Willow all of 5 seconds to get information pointing to Samuel being not-so-nice.

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She was definitelt lax in her watcherly duties.

Quote:

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Speaking about Claudia, she seemed to be a bit too powerfull/strong in Willy's bar. Only Dawn saw that and never told anybody else, but still it struck me as strange.

---

Oh yeah, what's up with that?



Thanks for reading and the leaving of the feedback

Anya in a wimple...I'd pay full admission for that. Gods Served And Abandoned - by Antigone Unbound


You know the worst thing about people in a relationship? The fact that they're in a relationship. - Hilda Spellman

[Grimlock72]

Thanks for confirming my suspicion about the title... being a programmer myself that IS what I first thought of. But then I attributed that to, well me thinking of programming too much :-)



I vagualy recall having been recommended that book, never came around to it though. I might eventually and THEN I'll ask how this story relates to it, could take while though... not to worry



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

[justin]

Here's a (very short) update to tide you over to the next one. Willow and Tara aren't in this part but hopefully the next one will make up for that.



The Cathedral And The Bazaar

- Author: Justin

- Email address: justin0@HotPOP.com

- Summary: This is an alternate version of S6 in which the scoobies don't resurrect Buffy and instead have Faith released from prison.

- Feedback: Any comments or constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated.

- Distribution: Anyone can take it, just let me know.

- Spoilers: Up to and including 'The Gift'

- Rating: R

- Pairing: W/T, X/A

- Disclaimer: Willow And Tara and most of the other characters in this story belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. Three cheers for creating two such wonderful characters. Three jeers for the way you treated them.



Chapter 12.5 – The three stooges ride again



A secret underground base



Or possibly just someones basement.



Warren and Jonathon worked quickly to connect up the rack of servers that they had bought. “Once this has been set up we should be able to take over any computer in this town.”



“I hope so.” Jonathon said, “We spent all our money on them.”



Warren slapped Jonathon round the back of the head, “Quit complaining.”



“Hey...” Jonathon stopped as the door opened and Andrew came down carrying a ladder. “What's that for?”



“I'm going to put the lights up.” Andrew answered.



“Well make sure you don't hit our printer.” Jonathon warned.



“What printer?” Andrew asked as he swung around, knocking a vase over.



“Great, that was my mom's.” Jonathon moaned.



“What?” Andrew spun the other way to see what he had done. There was a crash as the printer went flying into the far wall.



“Be more careful.” Warren said.



“I'm sorry Warren, you see I was just looking...” This time Warren got caught in the face.



“I said be more careful.” Warren walked up to Andrew and poked him in the eyes.



Andrew dropped the ladder and began slapping his face while howling in frustration. Warren grabbed the first thing to hand, a hammer and used it to pull on Andrews nose. “Get to work.” He barked.



“Soitanly.” Andrew answered as he went to set the ladder up.



Warren and Jonathon went back to working on the servers. Warren stopped as he noticed Andrew about to climb up the ladder. “Stop right there. You don't think that I'm going to trust you to do this do you?”



“But I want to do it.” Andrew complained.



Warren hit Andrew round the back of the head with the hammer, “Quiet pudding head.”



As Warren climbed up the ladder Andrew made as if to hit him, but thinking better of it he went to sulk in the corner. Once he was at the top of the ladder Warren said, “Oi, victim Johny make sure that the powers off.”



“The name's Jonathon. “ Jonathon muttered as he walked over to the switch. He flicked it a couple of times. He frowned. He flicked the switch a couple more times. “It's off.” He said before muttering, “I think.”



Warren began fiddling with the wiring. His body began shaking as a couple of hundred volts was passed through it.



Jonathon and Andrew stared at each other a moment, “He's done for.” Jonathon said.



“Let's get out of here.“ Andrew agreed. They both ran out of the basement and a moment later Warren's body tumbled to the floor.

Anya in a wimple...I'd pay full admission for that. Gods Served And Abandoned - by Antigone Unbound


You know the worst thing about people in a relationship? The fact that they're in a relationship. - Hilda Spellman

[bluewillowwitch]

justin ,

I loved the update! The Three Stooges is classic! I just hope that is going to able to help . It scares me when there is nothing about them in an update! Can't wait to more. Update soon, please?





Grace

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

[justin]

BlueWillowWitch: , I'm glad you enjoyed that bit of sillyness.



Sorry the lack of Willow and Taray goodness scared you. Hopefully this update will make up for that.



The Cathedral And The Bazaar

- Author: Justin

- Email address: justin0@HotPOP.com

- Summary: This is an alternate version of S6 in which the scoobies don't resurrect Buffy and instead have Faith released from prison.

- Feedback: Any comments or constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated.

- Distribution: Anyone can take it, just let me know.

- Spoilers: Up to and including 'The Gift'

- Rating: R

- Pairing: W/T, X/A, F/?

- Disclaimer: Willow And Tara and most of the other characters in this story belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. Three cheers for creating two such wonderful characters. Three jeers for the way you treated them.

- note1: Many thanks to Arwen for betaing this part.

- note 2: Thanks also to BlueWillowWitch for going over the songs in this and the next part

- note 3: This chapter was inspired by a chapter of Gods Served and Abandoned by Antigone Unbound (if you haven't read it, do so now)



Chapter 13



As Tara woke up she became aware of someone talking quietly. looking round the room she saw Willow speaking on the phone. She smiled as she watched her girlfriend pacing back and forth, the shirt she was wearing flapping round her legs.



"Okay then thanks." Willow said before hanging up. Turning, she smiled as she saw that Tara was awake. Lying down next to her girlfriend she greeted her, "Good morning."



Tara turned to kiss Willow then asked, "Who was that on the phone?"



Willow returned the kiss before answering, "Oh I was just calling people from our classes and asking to borrow their notes."



"You're planning to miss your classes?" Tara asked in a mock concerned voice.



"Yeah." Willow nodded as she explained, "Like I said, we need some R and R, even if it is just for a day."



Tara smiled at this, "So what have you got planned for our day of rest and recuperation."



Willow frowned as if uncertain about something, "Well we did discuss it."



"We did?" Tara sounded confused as she said this.



"The picnic?" Willow prompted.



"Oh yes of course." Tara smiled as she remembered, "That's a wonderful idea."



"Well I've got some other things planned as well." Willow grinned as she said this.



"Such as?"



"Oh no, it's a surprise."



Tara pouted, "Fine be like that." Turning Tara suddenly grabbed Willow and started tickling her, "Tell me."



"Never." Willow laughed, before retaliating. She moved her hands up Tara's sides, quickly finding her most sensitive areas.



"Okay, okay." Tara laughed, sounding out of breath, "I give in."



"That'll teach you to take me on in a tickling contest." Willow crowed. Standing she went on, "Now what are your preferences for breakfast."



***



Willow went into the lounge with a large basket, "Okay I've got everything ready." She noticed that Tara was frowning about something and asked, "Something wrong?"



Looking up Tara smiled, "Oh I was reading about the new reality show."



"I take it, it doesn't look good."



"It's called Serial Killer Island." Tara rolled her eyes as she answered.



"Right, say no more." Willow shook her head as she wondered what they were going to come up with next.



Standing Tara prodded, "So what's in the basket?"



Willow shook her head as she answered, "Now if I told you that it would spoil the whole surprise part of the surprise."



"At least tell me where we're going." Tara whined.



"You'll find out when we get there." Willow answered, trying to look stern.



"Fine be like that." Tara smiled and added, "You're not the only one with a surprise."



"What is it?" Willow asked in an eager tone.



"Now that would spoil the whole surprise part of the surprise." Tara repeated, with a smug expression.



Willow pouted, "I hate it when people use my own logic against me."



"Shouldn't we get going?" Tara inquired.



"Oh yeah of course, this way." Tara got up and joining hands they went to the car.



***



As Willow was driving she had a thoughtful expression on her face. Tara kept glancing at her, wondering if she should enquire about what Willow was thinking about , or if she should leave Willow to her thoughts. Finally Willow said, "I can't begin to understand what you've been through these last few weeks."



"It was pretty horrible."



Willow reached over to squeeze Tara's hand, "Well you know if you want to talk about it at all."



"Thanks but not now." Tara turned to smile warmly at Willow, "To be honest I'm too high at the moment."



Willow gave Tara a disapproving look,"Have you been sniffing the marker pens again?"



Tara just smirked in response, "It's you who does that, honey."



Willow looked sheepish at this, "Busted. So what's up?"



"It's just getting that thing out of me, well it seems to have been cathartic. I feel like... I feel like those people who were sprayed with the good ooze, you know in that second Ghost Busters movie."



Willow nodded.



"I just love everyone. I love you, I love Dawn and Xander and Anya and... Do you see that guy with the dog?"



Willow turned to look, "Yeah."



"I love him." Tara opened the window and sticking her head out she shouted, "Hey you with the dog." When she saw she had his attention, "I love you."



"Tara." Willow tried to sound disapproving as she said this.



Tara looked embarrassed, "Sorry, I don't know what came over me."



Willow just smiled in response, "Don't be. It's good to see you this happy." Turning to look at Tara she giggled. In response to Tara's questioning look she said, "You might want to do something about your hair."



Tara pulled down the sunshade and saw in the mirror that she did look rather windswept. As she grabbed a brush, Tara turned to look at the road they were on, "We're leaving Sunnydale."



"Drat." Willow cursed, "I knew I should have made you wear a blindfold."



"So where are we going? L.A.?" Tara guessed.



"No." Willow answered with a shake of her head.



"Oh, well then Vegas?"



"Not quite that far."



Tara was quiet for a while. Smiling to herself she said, "You know I could drive for a while, if you're getting tired."



"But then I'd have to tell you where we're going." Willow protested.



"That was kind of the idea." Tara said with a mischievous look.



"You can't fool me. I was on to your cunning ploy."



***



They arrived at a small town which seemed to comprise mainly of old fashioned buildings, that were hidden by large, trees. Willow stopped at an intersection to read the sign by the road, frowning as she tried to remember the directions she had been given. Looking round the surroundings, Tara said, "Well this looks like a nice town, very pretty."



"I hope so." Willow said as she decided on a direction and pulled away. About ten minutes later Willow pulled into a hotel parking lot. "Well here we are."



Getting out Tara looked at the hotel. It was a large old fashioned looking building, "Wow, this place looks nice." They went into the hotel and went up to the counter.



"Hello, can I help you?" The woman at the counter asked.



"Uh, yes. We've got a room reserved."



"Your name please?"



"Rosenberg, Willow."



"One moment please." The woman worked at a computer a moment then handed Willow a form, "Can you just fill this out?" While Willow filled out the form the clerk got a pair of key cards and programmed them. She handed the cards to Willow, "Your room is on the fourth floor."



"Thankyou." Willow said. They grabbed their bags and went up to their room.



"This is nice." Tara commented.



"Yeah." Willow agreed.



"I mean this is very nice." Tara sat down on the bed and looked at Willow.



"Oh, I know that look. That is not a good look."



"I know you've gone to a lot of trouble over this and I don't want to spoil this all, so I'll just ask this once and I won't mention it again."



"Go on." Willow said, guessing what Tara was going to ask.



"How were you able to afford this?"



"Ah, well there is a very good explanation for it and I would love to tell you it's just..."



"It's a surprise." Tara finished. Willow nodded and Tara went on, "Okay then I'll let you off for now, and trust you to explain at some point." Tara jumped off the bed looking excited again. "I'm going to look around."



When Tara had gone Willow sat down in the place that she'd just left and sighed with relief. A moment later she heard Tara shouting "Free shower curtain."



Shaking her head Willow went to the bathroom and said, "I don't think they want you to take those."



"But they expect people to take souvenirs." Tara argued.



Willow glanced at her watch and said, "Oh we need to get going."



***



Willow parked the car at a dirt car park. After getting everything out of the car they walked a short distance to a small field. There was a large lake next to it and a group of ducks were swimming along quacking loudly. There were tables by the path but they ignored them to go and sit by the lake. "This is a very good spot." Tara marvelled, looking at the scenery as she started pulling things out of the container.



Willow grinned in response, "Yeah, it was a good recommendation."



Tara looked curious at this, "Really? Who..." She stopped then said, "Actually I'm going to stop asking, I'm just going to enjoy the day."



"That's a good idea." Relief was evident in Willow's voice.



After they'd eaten Willow rolled over onto her side to look at Tara and said, "There was something I wanted to talk to you about."



"Oh." Tara said, sensing something in Willow's voice. "Is there something wrong?"



"Oh no, I'm fine, finey mcfine even."



"It's just it sounds like it's something serious." Tara smiled and added, "seriousy mcserious even."



"It is something serious." Willow took a breath to calm herself then said, "I want to leave Sunnydale."



Tara thought about it a moment, "Okay. Did you have anywhere in mind."



"What?" Willow said, caught a little off guard by the sudden agreement.



"I guess we can transfer our course credits and there are a lot of better universities around." Tara went on.



"Wait a minute." Willow cut in. "I didn't mean right away. Or even any time soon."



"You didn't?"



"No." Willow answered with a slight shake of her head.



"Oh, I guess I got a little carried away."



"Just a little. Anyway I was thinking more about when we'd graduated. I just don't want to spend the whole of my life on the Hellmouth."



"I can understand that."



"I've been fighting the forces of evil for more than five years and well I think there's a limit to how long you can do that."



"I totally agree. It'll be nice to make a life together which doesn't involve monsters."



"I'm glad you agree." Willow said, her relief evident.



"Willow, of course I agree. Where you go I'll go."



Willow smiled, moved by Tara's words. "Thanks. I'm not sure where I want to go though."



"Austin." Tara said suddenly.



"Who?" Willow blinked.



"No I mean the city, you know in Texas. I've got a couple of friends who live there. It's supposed to be very nice."



"Is there a hellmouth there?"



"Not that I know of, no."



"I like the place already." Willow said, "Well It'll be a couple of years still. I mean I want to at least wait till Dawn's finished high school."



"Of course. So what brought this on?"



"You have to ask?" A sad look crossed her face.



"Buffy." Tara half whispered to herself.



"Yeah. What happened just brought a lot of things home. I mean it doesn't matter how good we are the longer we do this the more likely the same thing will happen to us. We have to be lucky every time we go up against some big bad, but they only have to be lucky once."



Tara nodded, "I understand."



In the distance they heard a bell ringing. Willow looked at her watch saying, "Oh no. We're late."



Tara looked confused, "We are?"



"Yeah, we need to get going."



***



"Here we are." Willow said, looking at the shop.



"A magic shop?" Tara asked, "Anya's not going to be happy."



"She's not?"



"Well not getting our stuff from the Magic Box."



"Oh, I see what you mean." Willow said thoughtfully. "Well it was Anya's idea."



Tara gave Willow a questioning look as they went into the shop.



"Tara will you be okay looking round on your own, while I talk to the owner."



"Okay, sure." Tara answered, growing more and more confused. Willow went up to the counter and talked to the girl there. They spoke for a few seconds then the girl went through to the back room.



A few moments later an oldish, grey haired woman came out and said, "Ah, you must be Willow."



"I guess that I must."



"I'm Tasha. Anya told me that you'd be coming. Won't you come through." She pointed towards the back room.



When they'd gone Tara started looking round. They seemed to have a wider selection than the Magic Box but not as many unusual items as they had.



A while later Willow came back out with Tasha. "I'll fax all the papers to Anya."



"I'm sure these figures will make her happy." Willow said.



"Well it was very nice talking to you, Willow. I hope we'll see you round here again."



"Oh definitely." Willow came back over to Tara and said, "Sorry for disappearing like that."



Tara turned to Willow and gave her her sternest look and said, "There's a cafe opposite here. We are going to go there, have a drink and you are going to explain what is going on."



"Okay."



A while later they were sitting in the cafe. "It started a few months ago. Just after Giles decided to make Anya a partner. She found out about this place and had the idea of forming some sort of partnership with them. You know for dealing with suppliers and advertising."



"I didn't know about it."



"Ah well you see I was at the Magic Box researching when Anya came up the idea. I volunteered to come over to discuss the idea with the owner."



"Okay but why didn't I know about it."



"Oh well I thought that we could make a trip out of it, you know for the day. You didn't know because I had thought that it could be a surprisey mcsurprise." Willow frowned, "I really need to stop saying that."



Tara looked amazed, "You've been planning this for a while."



"Yeah well I was waiting for a good time to come. Then after what happened yesterday I realised that there probably wasn't going to be a better time."



"But how did you get everything ready?"



"I asked Anya to get everything ready, or at least Faith did. She did it while we were having our big showdown."



"Oh right. I wondered why she didn't come." Tara's face lit up as she worked something out, "I take it that Anya is paying for this trip."



Willow smirked, "Well we are here on shop business."



***



Once they had finished at the cafe they spent some time walking round the shops then went back to the hotel to get ready. Willow finished first and while she was waiting she read through the hotel's brochure. She glanced up as she heard the door open. Her mouth hung open in shock and the brochure slipped out of her hand, forgotten.



"Is something wrong?" Tara asked.



"Just the fact that I'm dating the most beautiful woman on the planet."



Tara walked over to Willow and said, "Second most beautiful. I'm dating the most beautiful."



Willow frowned and asked, "I'm not going to have to fight her for you am I? I'm not large with the butch."



"I meant you, you goofball." Tara smirked.



"Thanks." Willow said, leaning her forehead against Tara's. They stood like that for a few seconds before Willow pulled back, "Shall we get going?"



"Has anyone recommended a good restaurant for us?" Tara asked.



"No, but I thought we could, you know, wander around and see if we find somewhere nice."



"That's a great idea." Tara smiled.



After spending a few minutes walking through the town centre they found a small restaurant that they decided to go into. A young woman who seemed to be overjoyed to have some customers guided them to a table and gave them both menus. While they were choosing Willow looked up, "Well you now know all my surprises for the day."



"And it really has been a wonderful day." Tara reached over with her free hand and took hold of Willow's, rubbing the back of her hand with her thumb.



"But I believe you said something about having a surprise for me." Willow persisted, not letting what Tara was doing distract her.



"You're right I did." Tara turned back to the menu, "The wine seems to be a bit expensive. I think there's a limit to how much we can expect Anya to pay."



"So are yo going to tell me?"



"Tell you what?" Tara asked, looking nonplussed.



"Someone is really asking for a tickling." Willow raised an eyebrow suggestively.



"But we're in the middle of a restaurant." Tara pointed out.



"And?" Willow said, with an evil look on her face.



Tara's eyes widened, "You wouldn't."



"Wouldn't I?" Willow's expression grew even more evil as she said this.



Tara looked in Willow's eyes a moment then said, "I got a letter from our lawyer today."



"Lawyer?"



"About the adoption. Anyway the judge has approved the adoption. I just need to fill out some forms and in a week or so I'll officially be Dawn's mother."



"That's wonderful." Willow leaned over to hug Tara. Sitting back she added, "So it's my turn now."



"Yeah. This went through quicker than I was expecting."



Willow nodded in agreement. "Actually you mentioning this reminds me of a dream I had last night."



"Oh yes, was I in it?" Tara asked in a flirtatious voice.



"You could say that. You were running through the centre of Sunnydale throwing lightning bolts at people and shouting, I'll kill you, kill you all. Anyway I was running after you saying something like Tara if you don't stop this mad rampage they won't let you adopt Dawn."



"Right, so no mad rampages till we have the adoption finalised." Tara nodded thoughtfully.



"Good, I'm glad that we've got that sorted out." Willow teased.



Later that evening, as they walked back to the restaurant, Tara noticed, "I just thought, given the fact this town isn't much larger than Sunnydale it has a lot better shops."



"I think that's probably down to it not having a murder rate that would put New York to shame."



"Yes the absence of a hellmouth is probably good for business."



***



Willow woke up early in the morning. For a moment she didn't know why she had woken up.



"No, stay away from me." Tara moaned quietly.



Willow rolled over and gently touched Tara, "Tara wake up."



"Wha..." Tara whispered.



"You were having a bad dream."



"I was?"



Willow nodded, "Was it about Samuel?"



"Him and Glory. They kept switching round."



"I'm so sorry." Willow said.



"There's nothing for you to be sorry about."



Willow didn't respond.



"Willow look at me." Tara pleaded. After a while Willow looked up and Tara held her face, insisting. "What happened wasn't your fault."



"I just feel like I let you down again." Willow blinked as she felt tears forming.



"Again?"



"If we hadn't argued then you wouldn't have been hurt by Glory."



"Yes I would. In fact you probably would have been hurt as well." Tara reached to wipe Willow's face.



Willow didn't look as though she believed this but instead of arguing that point she said, "I still should have done more checking about Samuel. I should have made sure it was safe."



"Well we were both naïve." Tara said, "But that doesn't make it your fault. I was with him a lot more than you and I didn't sense anything wrong. I always thought that I was sensitive but I don't know why I didn't realise that something was wrong."



"Hey it isn't your fault." Willow argued.



"I pulled away from you."



"You were worried you'd hurt me."



"But it was still the wrong thing to do. I should have trusted you, trusted us, to get through this. I mean we're much stronger when we're together."



Willow nodded, "That's true. So whatever happens we stick together."



Tara took Willow's hands in her own, "I promise." Tara moved slightly and wrapping her arms round Willow drew her close. They fell asleep like that, revelling in the others presence.



***



They set off back for Sunnydale the next morning after having some breakfast. Tara drove and Willow fell asleep shortly after they'd set off. She woke up just in time to see the sign for Sunnydale. "Hey we're back."



"Yeah. We made good time." Tara said.



As Tara took a turning, Willow frowned, "This isn't the way back home."



"I know, there was something that I wanted to show you."



"Okay."



After a few minutes Tara pulled up at the side of the road. "Come on, it's just a few minutes walk." As they walked Tara said, "When I stormed out of the Magic Box yesterday I was planning on going to the library to try to calm down but for some reason I ended up here instead."



"This place is lovely." Willow said looking around, "Is it magical?"



"No. Well yes. Everywhere where nature flourishes is magical to an extent." Tara went to take Willow's hand, "I just thought it would be a nice place for us to come, just the two of us."



"That would be nice." Noticing the intent way that Tara was looking at her she said, "What?"





Tara:                They said I was a demon,

                I thought it must be true,

                But you showed me the truth,

                I owe everything to you.



Willow:                My life was so empty,

                No one seemed to care,

                Everything hurt so much,

                But then you were there.



Willow + Tara:        Forever and a day,

                Is how long I'll love you,

                In each and every way,

                Is how I'll show you how much I care.



Willow:                I thought I could never love again.

                But you proved me wrong,

                You taught me to open my heart up,

                You taught me how to be strong.



Tara:                When I look at you,

                I know you fill a hole,

                We're connected together,

                Bound from soul to soul.

               

Willow + Tara:        Forever and a day,

                Is how long I'll love you,

                In each and every way,

                Is how I'll show you how much I care.



As the music died down Willow stepped back from Tara, feeling a little embarrassed. "Wow." Willow said after a while, "That was really sweet, though a little weird."



"You're right," Tara nodded, "about both the sweetness, and the weirdness."



"I wonder what brought that on."



"I don't know, I was just overcome by this urge to tell you just how much I love you, and to do it through song."



"Me too." Willow said, "Well we should probably head back."



They went to the car, neither noticing the man who was watching them. He was wearing formal clothes including a top hat and was carrying a silver capped cane, "This is going to be interesting." He said to himself.





T.B.C



note: Chapter 14 is almost done but with other commitments it probably won't be ready to be posted till some time next month.

Anya in a wimple...I'd pay full admission for that. Gods Served And Abandoned - by Antigone Unbound


You know the worst thing about people in a relationship? The fact that they're in a relationship. - Hilda Spellman

[bluewillowwitch]

justin ,

I loved the update! It was a great song! surprising with a day away from SD was great. YAY! the adoption wen through! They are going to leave SD huh? Cool. Can't wait to more. Update soon, please?





Grace

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

[Grimlock72]

Any day outside of Sunnydale is good But Anya paying for the trip, that is new... I wonder if she'll still pay after she sees the expenses, heh. Sounds like they had a nice carefree day for once, the earned that one.



So Willow is thinking of moving to Austin... now WHY does that sound so familliar ??? I'm told there are no demons of the usual sort in Texas so thats a plus. Anyone who knows me can guess how much I agree with Willow's reasoning on leaving Sunnydale. I would send Dawn to her though, that way they can leave earlier.. and why bother finishing Sunnydale U. ? Willow at least can get into pretty much any university on science-points alone



This quote WAS fun:

Quote:

---

"Right, so no mad rampages till we have the adoption finalised." Tara nodded thoughtfully.

---

. However shouldn't Willow have been more concerned to be dreaming about Tara yelling she would kill random people like that ?? Speaking of nightmares, Tara's likely going to have some more... nothing Willow can't chase away though.



About the previous update, such a shame that a nice young boy like Warren got fried like that... *cough* the world will miss him *cough*.. there, didn't that sound nice and sincere ?? : -->



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

[tstcloud]

Looks like Xander's summoned the Lord of the Dance.