NEW FIC!!! - AU - "Timeless"

[pyry223]

Quote:

---

“Grandma s-said something about someone in our f-family having a problem with being addicted to s-something…I always assumed it was s-some sort of drug thing or s-something…but maybe s-she was talking about dark magicks.”

---

why does that tell me that is going to get addicted to it again? or maybe its and 's ? you know eventually ur going to have to get me off my toes...im about to fall over.

[Draco119]

I really love what you've done with Logan's character. And the fact that she doesn't know magics was a really great twist to the plot. Willow is really stubborn but she is only doing it to keep Tara and the baby safe, which I don't blame her. Tara can be pretty stubborn herself, especially when she's protecting Willow. I love this story and I can't wait for the update.

[FIRESIGN]

Logan smiled. “Knowing Gran, s-she’d l-love the company.”



“Great, then! How’s about we get something to go then…I’m starving! Slayer appetite…you know…” Buffy said, smiling.



“Um…Slayer?” Logan said, not having the slightest clue what a ‘Chosen One’ was…



“Oh boy…have we got a lot to tell you…” Buffy said, grabbing a menu off of the table.



Chapter Forty-seven



The waitress walked up to the table, looking at Buffy.



“What can I get you, sweetie?”



“Umm…let’s see…how about a couple of bacon cheeseburgers, fries, onion rings, and…oooh…a chocolate malt...to go!”



Logan and the waitress stared at the petite blonde Slayer in total amazement.



“You’re joking, right?” asked the waitress.



“Nah…I’m trying to cut down…you know…gotta keep my girlish figure!” Buffy said, smiling.



“That’s cutting down???” Logan said, eyes wide open.



The waitress got a motherly look on her face and leaned down close to Giles “Sir…you know there’s clinics for girls with eating disorders like that…she’s such a pretty girl…”



“Um…well…yes…thank you…I think.” he stammered.



“Now…what can I get for you?” she asked, looking at Logan.



“I’ll j-just have a double-chocolate shake…thanks…”



“And you?”



“I’ll have the reuben sandwich and a coffee…thank you.” answered Giles.



The waitress finished writing down the order and went to put it in to the kitchen.



Once Giles was sure she had gone, he began to explain…or try to…



“Well…Logan…I know this is going to be difficult for you to understand…but what we are about to tell you is of the utmost importance. You see…things that you‘ve more than likely been told were nothing more than faerie tales and bedtime stories…well…they are much more than that…” Giles started…trying to ease into the discussion.



He was bluntly interrupted by Buffy…



“What Giles here is trying to say is…Vampires…Demons…Witches…and a bunch of other things that everybody says doesn’t exist…do exist…in a very big way…”



“Thank you so much for your help, Buffy…” Giles said, pointedly…



“What? Just thought she’d appreciate the shortened version!”



“To balance the scales of good and evil…one girl from every generation is called upon to be the Chosen One…a champion among champions…the Slayer…and, well…Buffy here…is that Slayer.”



Buffy looked up, smiling.



Logan’s eyes darted back and forth between the two not really sure what to make of the stories she was hearing…



“O-kay…and how d-does my family fit into t-this whole thing?”



“You are descended from two very powerful witches…their names are Willow and Tara Rosenberg-Maclay…” Giles explained.



“Oh…Gran used to tell us s-stories about them when I was little…I just thought that she was making them up…about them fighting monsters and warlocks and t-things like that…”



“Well…as I said earlier…the faerie tales are true…and although I know you haven’t had any experience or training in the magicks…I can assure you that they run strong in your bloodline…”



“So we need your help…” Buffy said, interrupting once again.



“Do you mind? I believe I had the floor!” Giles said, now getting rather annoyed with his Slayer.



“Sorry!”



“But h-how can I help? I can’t do anything…”



“You can’t yet…but I can teach you…”



“Teach me?”



“Yes…just like I taught Willow…”



To Be Continued...

[The Rose24]

Logan seems really naive. She doesn't believe anything, but I am sure she will learn really quickly.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

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

[bluewillowwitch]

Cin ,

Great update! I love this fic! Dude, Buffy is cutting back? All that food. And that waitress telling Giles that Buffy needed help that was great! Buffy and Giles are going to scare that poor girl off. If she is anything like and , which she seems to be, she will have an overwhelming need to help. Can't wait to more. Update soon, please?





Grace

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

[Arwen276]

All that food talk made my stomach grumble!!



I'd love to have what Buffy's having... damn slayer metabolism!



hmm Now that's a tough one, how is Giles going to explain that he's trained Willow and now he'll train Logan...



If I was Logan I'd have bolted away from them, calling them "nutso!"

lol



But that's just me!





~Arwen

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

[LostWithoutTara]

Buffy must be really lucky to be able to eat all that food and yet still stay in shape! I feel a bit sorry for Logan at the moment, all of this news must be a bit overwhelming for her. Looking forward to more!

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

[FIRESIGN]

Hello Everybody -



I've had a few requests to provide MY FIRST and TIMELESS as full document files for those of you who would like them. If you would...just email me at firesign98@yahoo.com and I will send them to you. My only request is that you do not post them, copy them, or pass them on to anyone without my express permission.



Thanks so much for reading - you all are the BEST!



-Cin aka FIRESIGN

[FIRESIGN]

“But h-how can I help? I can’t do anything…”



“You can’t yet…but I can teach you…”



“Teach me?”



“Yes…just like I taught Willow…”



Chapter Forty-eight



“You t-taught Willow? That’s impossible! That would m-make you over a hundred years old!” Logan said, confused.



“No…not really…you see, there’s much more to this story that we haven’t yet told you…” Giles said.



“There’s more?”



“Yes…as I said before…Willow is a very powerful witch…as is…or is that was? Well…for the sake of our conversation, I’ll say IS…Tara is also a very powerful witch…and well…you see…there is a demi-god by the name of Kaliphicus that we will, in the future, have to defeat…and Willow…our Willow from this time…went back in time to find Tara…and to find a way to defeat Kaliphicus…because I guess she’d been there before…traveled into the past from the future…and…my goodness…my mind is absolutely reeling just trying to explain this…I can’t imagine how confused you must be!”



Logan stared at the Watcher slack-jawed.



“I see…confused doesn’t even begin to describe it, does it?” Giles said, smiling.



“Um…no.”



Meanwhile…



Faith stood in the corner of the room, leaning up against the wall ,arms folded across her chest. Xander and Anya sat at the table, reading through the books from the Magic Box…trying to find any more information on what they would soon be up against. The tension hung in the air like a thick fog…finally…Faith broke the ominous silence…



“You know…you might as well just go ahead and say whatever you’re thinking…”



“Gee…I can’t imagine what you’re talking about, Faith…nope…no hostility here…” Xander said, sarcastically.



“Oooh…feel the love!” Faith said, matching his sarcasm…hoping it would give the shove needed to push him into saying what was on his mind.



“Okay…you wanna know what’s on my mind? I’ll tell you what’s on my mind…” Xander said, rising up from his chair. “I hate the way you waltz in here…make us all think you’re here to help…fight the good fight with us…make us depend on you…and then leave…I hate the way you took your powers…being a ‘Chosen One’…and turned them into something dark and corrupt and nasty when the rest of us were risking our lives to stop that very same thing…and I hate that you took something…a gift so precious…a gift that I would have killed to have myself at one point…and you threw it out like a piece of garbage…that’s what I hate!”



“What the hell are you talking about, geek-boy?” Faith said, not catching on to what Xander was saying…



“Buffy’s heart…” Anya said, much to the surprise of both Xander and Faith.



Xander looked at Anya with a quizzical look on his face.



“What? Oh come on…did you think I didn’t know? I see the way you look at her sometimes…why in the hell do you think I colored my hair blonde?” Anya said.



“Oh, Xan-man…you are SO busted!” Faith said, laughing at Xander. She walked over to Anya, putting her hand on the former vengeance demon’s shoulder. “You know…I knew I liked you!”



“Hey! Get your paws off of her! An…honey…that was all in the past…I love you, you know that! I just don’t want Buffy hurt again…that’s all…I mean last time she and Buffy hooked up…she left her…and we were the ones left behind to pick up the pieces…”



“…and you were oh-so-willing to pick up those pieces, weren’t you?!” Faith said, adding fuel to the fire.



“If you really loved her the way you said you did…that should have been YOU picking up those pieces…not us!” Xander fired back at the Dark Slayer.



“Well I’m here now…and I love B….and I’m not going anywhere…no more running… So you’d better get used to the idea of me being here for a very long time…”



Xander was shocked.



She loves her? She loves Buffy? Am I hearing this right? I’ve known Faith for a long time…and one word I’ve never heard in her vocabulary is the L-word…and I’m not talking ‘lesbian’ here…



“You love her?” Xander asked, calming down.



“With all of my heart, Xander.” Faith said, seriously.



“Whoa…I don’t think you’ve ever called me Xander…” he said, suddenly realizing that for the first time, he really did believe her.



“I’m serious…I love her…and I’m here for the long run this time…”



“I hope you are…and right now…we can use all of the help we can get…so how about cracking a few of these books here with us…” Xander said, pulling another chair up to the table.



Faith sat down in the chair.



“What the hell…I never was much on the whole school thing…but I’ll do my best.”



“That’s all I ask…” Xander said. He kissed Anya on the head, leaning in and whispering into her ear. “You’re the love of my life, Anya…and I wouldn’t trade you for anyone…even Buffy.”



He quietly sat down in his chair, delving into the books once more.



To Be Continued...

[BloodSuckinFiend]

woo! rad update yo! loved the interaction between Faith and Xander

______________

~ "I don't know how to behave around women of the opposite sex." - Space Ghost

[LostWithoutTara]

Wonderful development here with Faith and Xander.

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

[bluewillowwitch]

Cin ,

I love this fic! Logan is so looking at Buffy and Giles like they are nuts. Which they might be. She doesn't get the whole is from this time and went back to be with thing. The whole fight between Faith and Xander was actually sweet. Can't wait to more. Update soon, please?





Grace

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

[The Rose24]

It's going to be a very long day for Logan and The Scoobies.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

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

[SaraBiga]

Eh! I love the way you update this fic so fast!

mmmh, new food for our thoughts, what with Faith and Xander...



Poor Logan, now she'll know for sure they're ALL nuts!!!

____________________________



"Don't piss off the redhead with the weird powers" -Willow-



"I'm not weird, I'm talented." -Sara Biga-

[FIRESIGN]

Hello Everybody!



Sorry I haven't updated in the last couple of days - I have company visiting for the weekend... I promise I will update both Timeless and My First by tomorrow night.



Thanks so much for reading - and again - sorry for the lapse in updates!



-Cin aka FIRESIGN

[FIRESIGN]

“Tara! Baby…I know you don’t want me to do a bunch of spells and stuff without your training…but this is different! I have to do something NOW – he could come back any time and Goddess knows what he’ll do the next time he shows up!”



“Willow…when he shows up…I’ll be ready…he just caught me unawares. I will take care of it.”



“But…”



“No buts, Love. That is the way it’s going to be. Understand?” Tara said, squeezing Willow’s hand and looking deeply into those intense Emerald orbs.



“I understand…” Willow said, hesitantly.



She thinks she can handle this all on her own! I’ll be damned if I’m going to let her put herself and our child in danger…she’s getting my help whether she likes it or not! What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her…



Chapter Forty-nine



“I’m glad you do...understand, that is...you have to trust me when I say I CAN and WILL take care of this, Willow...” Tara said, still feeling the uncertainty in her wife...



Damn...she’s playing her trump card...do I trust her? Yes...I do...explicitly...



“I know that you want to protect us...and I love you so much for that, baby...but you really need to trust me...you do trust me, don’t you?” she said, looking to Willow.



Willow looked deeply into the endless pools of Sapphire blue before her...not a splash, not a wave, just calm...the calmness of complete love...and complete confidence...it was then that she truly realized that Tara was right...she could handle the warlock. For the first time in her life...Willow felt a little bit of the constant weight on her shoulders lift...the weight that had been placed there so many years ago when she had agreed to ‘fight the good fight’ next to her friends in the Hellmouth. She had been given so much responsibility so fast...researcher, powerful witch, the proverbial rock of the Scoobie gang. How many times had Buffy referred to her as her ‘big gun’? How many times had she wanted so badly to just curl up into a corner and cry like a baby...to be that innocent young high-school girl who didn’t know about vampires and demons and life on the Hellmouth...only to be abruptly yanked back by the reality that she was needed, that they all depended on her...when all else failed, there was always dependable-Willow. But now...this was so different...she finally felt that she could relax a bit...that someone was there that she could really depend on...and that it was okay to depend on her...



With more love and trust than she had ever felt in her entire life, she uttered the words...“I trust you.”

Tara smiled...she could feel the shift in Willow’s energy flow...a release of sorts...that she was finally and completely giving herself...body, mind, and soul...to her.



Tara leaned over, kissing her gently and lovingly...she leaned back, looking into Willow’s emerald eyes...



“Thank you.” she said.



“For what?” Willow asked.



“For believing in me...and in us. Nothing can stop us now, Willow...the love that we share is more powerful than anything that the dark forces could ever do...no matter what...our love will get us through it...our love is...”



“Timeless?” Willow said, taking the words out of Tara’s mouth...



“Timeless.” Tara said, smiling softly, taking Willow’s hand in hers and guiding it to her soft stomach...placing it over the life that they had created.



Meanwhile...



The words had barely gotten out of Giles’ mouth when Logan felt a rush of energy course through her body...



“Whoa!” she said, leaning back into the bench seat...



“Logan? Are you alright?” Giles asked.



“Yes...I think so...that was really weird!”



Buffy and Giles looked at the girl...something had changed...she seemed...stronger somehow...more confident. The stuttering was gone...and she sat taller, holding her head high...meeting eye-to-eye...



“...yes...well, as I was saying...I was the one who taught Willow about the magicks...”



“Yes...I think...no...I know...I remember some of the first spells that I did with my grandmother...they were ones that were passed down from Willow...ones that you had taught her...”



“Okay...correct me if I’m wrong here...but weren’t you just saying a minute ago that you’ve never done any kind of magic whatsoever?” Buffy said, looking at the blonde in disbelief.



“I’m not sure...I didn’t think so...but now...I do...I remember it all...” Logan said, confused by the situation herself.



“I believe that something has changed again in the past...that’s affected things here...and for the better, I might add...” Giles said.



“Really? Wow...way to go, Willow!” Buffy said.



"Yes...definitely..." Giles said, wondering what would be the next change to their 'reality'...





To Be Continued...

[Arwen276]

Way to go Willow!!



Now they have a headstart! They're not back at square 1 teaching Logan the basics anymore! woohoo!!



More soon please and you can't believe how glad I was to find out that Willow shifted from her original plans of making things her way...





~Arwen

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

[The Rose24]

Okay. Another twist. I guess W/T are doing things differently than they did before, and this is why things are changing in the present. Like Giles says, They seem to be changing for the better.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

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

[LostWithoutTara]

Good twist.

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

[FIRESIGN]

“Thank you.” she said.



“For what?” Willow asked.



“For believing in me...and in us. Nothing can stop us now, Willow...the love that we share is more powerful than anything that the dark forces could ever do...no matter what...our love will get us through it...our love is...”



“Timeless?” Willow said, taking the words out of Tara’s mouth...



“Timeless.” Tara said, smiling softly, taking Willow’s hand in hers and guiding it to her soft stomach...placing it over the life that they had created.



Chapter Fifty



After a filling breakfast of oatmeal and apples, the two witches headed out into the woods once more...



“So what’s on the agenda today...more ‘elemental balancing’? ‘Cause I’m not sure I can handle much more of that...” Willow said. The balancing practice had more than taxed her patience the previous day...she did it...but she would have much preferred to do something else...



“Well...I hate to disappoint you, love...but we are going to work more on the elementals...but we’ll be doing it together today...”



“Together? As in casting together?”



“Yes...I wasn’t planning on the added complication of Duncan entering the picture...we need to speed things up a bit...and you and I have much more power when we work together.”



“How so?” Willow asked as they continued down the path.



Tara stopped walking, turned around, and took Willow’s hand in her own, holding it to her midsection once again...



“Together...we are more powerful than anything...we have the power to create life...”



A smile spread across the red-head’s face “We did...didn’t we?”



“Uh-huh...” Tara said, smiling as she leaned forward giving Willow a quick kiss. “Now let’s go...we’ve got a lot to do together today...”



“I’m definitely liking the sound of that!” Willow said as they continued down the path.





Meanwhile...



“You say you remember it all...exactly what do you remember?” Giles asked Logan.



“I don’t know...everything...doing spells with Gran when I was just a little kid...”



“So what can you do...come on...show us a little bit of the mojo here!” Buffy said, excitedly.



Logan and Giles both gave the Slayer an annoyed look.



“This is neither the time nor the place for this...I should think that we’d be better off doing that in a more private setting...”



“I’ll second that...” Logan said.



By the look on the Slayer’s face, it was clear that she was disappointed that her suggestion had been shot down. But the look of disappointment changed quickly to a smile when the waitress arrived with the take-out order.



“Okay...who’s got the tab?” She asked, as all three women looked to the Watcher.



“Um...yes...well...I guess that would be me.” he said, reluctantly - pulling out his wallet.



“Thanks for the greasy-goodness, Giles!” Buffy said, grabbing her bag of food and getting up from the booth. “Now let’s go see what you’ve got, kiddo!”



Giles tossed the money on the table as the three of them walked out of the door...



To Be Continued...

Edited by: FIRESIGN at: 11/20/03 7:01 pm

[BloodSuckinFiend]

sweet...you promised, and you delivered...can't wait to see logan work the witchy mojo!

______________

~ "I don't know how to behave around women of the opposite sex." - Space Ghost

[LostWithoutTara]

Cool update, poor Giles having to pick up the tab . It'll be interesting to see what Logan can do and the extent of her powers.

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

[FIRESIGN]

“Okay...who’s got the tab?” She asked, as all three women looked to the Watcher.



“Um...yes...well...I guess that would be me.” he said, reluctantly - pulling out his wallet.



“Thanks for the greasy-goodness, Giles!” Buffy said, grabbing her bag of food and getting up from the booth. “Now let’s go see what you’ve got, kiddo!”



Giles tossed the money on the table as the three of them walked out of the door...



Chapter Fifty-one



The trio cruised down the highway in Giles’ red BMW convertible…the top down, wind blowing through their hair…



“I love your car, Mr. Giles! It’s really sporty!” Logan said, her blonde hair billowing behind her.



Giles smiled and sat up, proudly “Really? Why yes…it is a bit sporty, isn’t it? Thank you!”



“You know you just made his day, don’t you?” Buffy said, looking at Logan.



“Why? What do you mean?”



“He’s been fishing for compliments on his little mid-life crisis penis-mobile since he bought it! Now…he’s finally got what he was fishing for…he’s gonna be hell to live with!” She said, smiling at the younger girl.



“Sorry…my mistake…oh! Take this exit, here!” Logan said, pointing to the upcoming exit ramp. “Okay…now turn left on Dilloway…we’re going to be on this road for about 5 miles…” she explained.



“This is a road?” Giles said, somewhat aggravated. The road that they were now on was nothing more than a one-and-a-half lane dirt and gravel path that winded around through the woods.



“Easy, G-man…your little fella will be just fine…you can wash it and wax it and stroke it the minute we get home!” Buffy said, teasingly.



“I do NOT stroke it…I buff it.” He said, definitively.



Both of the girls tried in vain to stifle their giggles, seeing the Watcher squirm.



“There…over there…turn right…this is Gran’s place…it’s been in the family for over a hundred years…”



A small hand-painted sign marked the curve of the road…it read ‘WILLOW LANE’.



The Watcher and the Slayer both smiled as they saw it…thinking of their Willow…



The road ended in a beautifully lush clearing deep within the woods. On the far side of the clearing stood a small log cabin. The grass was the most beautiful shade of emerald green that either Buffy or Giles had ever seen…you could literally feel the power emanating from the earth…the trees…and everything around them. There was no doubt in the Watcher’s mind…they were on sacred ground.



Giles pulled the car up, sliding it into neutral and setting the parking break.



“Come on…I’ll introduce you to Gran!” Logan said, climbing out of the car.



As Buffy and Giles were getting out, the door of the cabin opened, and a figure stepped out of the shadows and into the sunlight…it was a woman of obvious age, her long white hair drawn up into a bun, her cobalt blue eyes twinkling like moonlight on the water. Even in her advanced age, it was easy to see the timeless beauty on her face. She smiled at her granddaughter and walked past her…over to Buffy, gently taking the Slayer’s hand in hers…



“I knew you would come…” she said, smiling.





To Be Continued...

[The Rose24]

Another Cliffhanger.



She is an older version of Tara.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

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

[BloodSuckinFiend]

whoo! yeah! awesome cin...i'm totally hooked on this fic.

Whenever i see you update i get a little happy

______________

~ "I don't know how to behave around women of the opposite sex." - Space Ghost

[Karmah]

ohhhh Damn Cin

Ok, I need an update soon so she had been expecting buffy and thats Willow and Tara;s baby. I can only imagine the stories she must have been told as a child. this is great

Awaiting more soon

Arron

What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

~ by Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

[LostWithoutTara]

Buffy teasing Giles is hilarious!



Looking forward to hearing more from Logan's grandmother.

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

[bluewillowwitch]

Cin ,

I love this fic! You are so with those cliffhangers. So got to trust her and due to that Logan suddenly remebers all this stuff? Cool. Can;t wait to see what other things happen. What is up with the old lady? Wonder what you have planned for us. Can't wait to more. Update soon, please?





Grace

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

[FIRESIGN]

As Buffy and Giles were getting out, the door of the cabin opened, and a figure stepped out of the shadows and into the sunlight…it was a woman of obvious age, her long white hair drawn up into a bun, her cobalt blue eyes twinkling like moonlight on the water. Even in her advanced age, it was easy to see the timeless beauty on her face. She smiled at her granddaughter and walked past her…over to Buffy, gently taking the Slayer’s hand in hers…



“I knew you would come…” she said, smiling



Chapter Fifty-two



Buffy felt an immediate sense of calm flow throughout her body the minute the elderly woman touched her hands...it was something that she hadn't felt in a very long time...since before she had been called as the Slayer...she felt safe.



"Have we met?" Buffy asked, looking into the woman's deep blue eyes.



The elder smiled softly. "No, child...we've never met...but I know you...and I know of your birthright...or shall we call it your burden?"



"Birthright...burden...all the same, isn't it?" said the Slayer, breaking eye contact and dipping her head, looking to the ground.



So much pain...so much sadness. You feel alone...even when those whom you love and who love you surround you...you are still alone. That is the burden of the Slayer...to walk alone...but you don't have to be alone...you've chosen to. There is another who walks your same path...and she'll walk with you hand-in-hand...if you'll allow it...don't push her away, young one...



The elderly woman placed her finger under Buffy's chin, lifting up. "The weight of the world rests not only on one shoulder, but two, young one...never doubt that...always have faith." she said, releasing her hands and walking over to Giles.



She took Giles' hand in hers...



"Ahhh...the Watcher...but you're more than that...and they know it...they can feel it...your love for them. Don't be afraid to let them know how you feel about them...never let the sun set without telling them that you love them...and let them love you..."



Logan stepped forward, clearing her throat...



"Um...Gran? I hate to interrupt all of this...but they need to..."



"See a little sample of our magicks? Yes...dear, I know...please...come right this way." she said, leading the group to a small footpath heading deeper into the woods.



Meanwhile...



Willow and Tara finished making the casting circle with sea salt that Tara had brought with her on their trek into the woods. There were four clay bowls set in between them, the first had soil in it, the second was empty, the third had tinder in it, the final - water. Tara touched the bowl with the tinder...



"Incendio!" she said. The tinder instantaneously burst into flames.



They sat facing each other within the circle, hands together, fingers entwined...



"Okay...are you ready?"



Willow nodded.



"I want you to concentrate on the water first...picture the water forming it's own skin...the sides pulling in...forming a sphere filled with the cool, blue water..." Tara said, her voice calm and soothing...



They both closed their eyes...each focusing their energies toward the water...the surface of the water-filled bowl began to ripple as if being vibrated by some unseen force. The ripples became closer and closer...as the water slowly rose from the bowl in a floating blue sphere...



Tara continued...



"Now, picture the wind...focus the air current onto the soil in the bowl...let the wind pick up the soil...swirling it around the sphere in a protective shell..."



Willow's brow furrowed as the look of concentration spread across her face...they breathed together...slowly...controlled...in and out...in and out...gradually, a soft breeze picked up the soil from the bowl...swirling it protectively around the sphere of water...



Beads of sweat formed on Willow's forehead...as Tara continued her instructions...



"Now...we will bring the final - and most fragile element to the rest...concentrate on the fire...feel it lifting...bring it to the sphere...protect the fire as it moves through the barrier and into the water without extinguishing it..."



"But there's no way..." Willow began to say.



"Shhh...there is a way...OUR way...together, we can do anything...our love makes the impossible, possible...trust in our love..."



Their love was the one thing in the world that Willow had absolutely no doubts about whatsoever...



Suddenly, the flame began to rise, making it's way to the sphere as it passed through the earth and wind...slowly penetrating the skin of the sphere, entering the water...



"Now...open your eyes and see..."



Willow slowly opened her eyes...the flame was still burning brightly within the water itself...making the water shimmer and glow as though it was not water...but liquid diamonds...



"It's so beautiful..." she said, mezmerized by the sight of it.



Tara smiled, proudly...





To Be Continued...

[The Rose24]

That was a cool spell.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

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